THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

GIFT  OF 

Kenneth  Macgowan 


TAPS 


BY 

FRANZ  ADAM  BEYERLEIN 


Translated  from  the  German 
by  Charles  Swickard 


JOHN  W.  LUCE  &  COMPANY 
BOSTON,  MASS. 


COPYRIGHT,  1915 
BY  L.  E.  BASSETT 


TT 


13  )^ 

THE  PUBLISHERS'  NOTE 

"  Zapfenstreich,"  the  anti-military  play 
of  Franz  Adam  Beyerlein  is  published 
in  the  following  pages  under  the  equiva- 
lent English  title  of  "  Taps." 

While  recognized  as  a  powerful  ar- 
raignment of  the  continental  military 
caste  in  general,  and  the  impassable 
social  barrier  existing  between  commis- 
sioned and  non-commissioned  officers  in 
particular,  the  play  itself  as  a  dramatic 
composition  has  won  universal  apprecia- 
tion and  in  the  character  of  the  old  Ser- 
geant Major  has  contributed  to  dramatic 
literature  a  portrait  so  genuine  and  vivid 
as  to  be  unforgetable. 

As  a  contemporary  of  Lieutenant  Bilse's 
"  Life  in  a  Small  Garrison  "  and  Otto 
Erich  Hartlebens'  well-known  "  Rosen- 
montag,"  '  Taps  "  was  produced  in 
Austria  and  Germany  in  1901.  The 
author  although  an  Austrian  and  a 
radical  as  well  as  an  anti-militarist, 


572315 


THE  PUBLISHERS'  NOTE 

with  due  regard  for  his  personal  con- 
venience if  not  safety,  laid  his  scene  in 
German  territory  and  selected  for  his 
study  a  squadron  of  the  25th  Uhlans 
stationed  in  Alsace,  not  far  from  the 
border  and  the  great  French  fortress  of 
Belfourt. 

The  production  of  the  play  created 
an  instantaneous  uproar  among  mili- 
tarists and  officials  and  was  speedily 
followed  by  an  order  emanating  from 
the  German  Kaiser  forbidding  officers 
and  soldiers  from  attending  its  perform- 
ance in  uniform. 

Nevertheless  the  public  at  large 
flocked  to  the  play  and  a  little  later  it 
was  produced  in  Paris  where  it  ran  one 
hundred  performances  and  in  London 
one  hundred  and  ten  nights.  In  New 
York  at  the  Irving  Place  Theatre,  under 
the  original  title  and,  of  course,  played 
in  German,  it  continued  a  prosperous 
engagement  of  eight  weeks. 

Somewhat  later  under  the  direction  of 
Mr.  Charles  Swickard,  the  translator 
of  this  and  others  of  the  more  important 


THE  PUBLISHERS'  NOTE 

German  dramas,  the  English  version 
was  produced  in  New  York,  but  ran 
with  only  indifferent  success  for  four 
weeks. 

At  that  time  neither  German  social 
conditions,  nor  the  broader  aspects  of 
militarism  were  of  particular  interest  to 
the  public,  and  a  play,  recognized  by  all 
critics  as  of  the  first  class,  was  neglected 
on  the  ground  of  being  a  bit  of  special 
pleading  relating  to  a  subject  of  no 
appreciable  interest  except  to  continental 
Europe. 

Recent  events  have  changed  such  an 
attitude  of  indifference  to  one  of  keen 
interest,  and  in  this  play,  a  merciless 
arraignment  of  the  conditions,  anoma- 
lies and  abuses  of  caste  prevalent  in  the 
German  army,  is  to  be  found,  aside  from 
an  intensely  dramatic  recital,  the  picture 
of  a  phase  inherent  in  the  army  life  of 
whatsoever  country  maintains  a  military 
establishment. 


DRAMATIS  PERSONAE 

VON  BANNEWITZ Captain 

VON  HOEVEN Lieutenant 

VON  LAUFFEN Lieutenant 

VOLKHARDT Sergeant  Major 

QUEISS Sergeant 

HELBIG Sergeant 

MICHALEK Private 

SPIESS Private 

Of  the  Third  Squadron,  of  the  Twenty-Fifth  Uhlan 
Regiment  (known  as  The  Magdeburgers.) 

CLARA  VOLKHARDT. 

MAJOR  PASCHKE,  of  the  Alsatian  Heavy  Artillery  No. 

19. 
CAPTAIN  COUNT  VON  LEHDENBURG,  of  the  Cuirassier 

Regiment  No.  10. 
PREMIER  LIEUTENANT  HAGEMEISTER,  of  the  Infantry 

Regiment  No.  186. 

First  Councillor  of  the  Court  Martial  (president). 
Second  Councillor  of  the  Court  Martial  (associate). 
Third  Councillor  of  the  Court  Martial  (prosecutor). 
Recording  Sergeant. 
Assistant  Regimental  Surgeon. 
Orderly  of  the  Court  Martial,  a  number  of  Uhlans. 

Time:  About  1900. 

Place:  Sennheim,  a  small  garrison  town  near  the 
French  border  in  Alsace-Lorraine,  in  the  direction 
of  Belfort. 


TAPS 


ACT  I 

Scene:  Office  of  the  Sergeant  Major.  Gray- 
tinted,  whitewashed  walls  and  sparsely 
furnished.  On  the  left,  a  window  with 
striped  roller  shade.  In  the  center  an  or- 
dinary door  painted  brown.  In  front  of  the 
window,  a  fair-sized  table  with  writing 
material,  etc.,  and  a  chair.  Similar  table 
and  chair  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  room. 
To  the  left  of  the  door,  a  hat  rack  fastened 
on  wall.  Next  to  that  is  a  small  cabinet  for 
books  and  papers  and  in  the  corner,  an 
iron-bound  chest.  On  the  other  side  of  the 
door,  a  small  table  with  a  stool  shoved  under 
same.  In  the  corner,  an  iron  washstand 
with  a  towel  above  it.  On  the  inside  of  the 
door  hangs  the  daily  inventory  list.  Hanging 
on  the  rack  are:  the  helmet,  the  bandolier, 
belt  and  saber  of  the  Sergeant  Major.  His 
cap  on  the  table. 

It  is  near  noon  and  bright  sunshine  without. 
i 


2  TAPS  ACT  i 

At  curtain: 

CAPTAIN  VON  BANNEWITZ  [leaning  against  the 
table  and  glancing  over  an  official  list.  He 
is  in  fatigue  uniform,  with  the  lapels  of  his 
coat  buttoned  back,  bandolier,  field  tie,  but 
with  cap.  The  uniform  is  not  too  new, 
fairly  covered  with  dust,  for  he  has  just 
come  off  duty.  He  carries  a  crop  and  is 
smoking  a  cigarette.  Almost  to  himself]: 

—  Hm  —  yes !   I  presume   we   can   let  it 
go  at  that.   Only  —  !  [lowers  list]  Sergeant 
Major! 

VOLKHARDT  [has  been  writing  diligently  at 
opposite  table:  rises  with  military  snap  and 
comes  to  attention]:  At  your  service, 
Captain! 

VON  BANNEWITZ  [resignedly] :  Sergeant  Major, 
if  you  knew  how  nervous  you  made  me 
with  your  frightful  exactness  to  the  pre- 
scribed forms  —  Lord  knows,  Volkhardt, 
you'd  stop  it. 

VOLKHARDT:  At  your  service,  Captain. 

VON  BANNEWITZ:  Yes,  yes!  "At  my  service" 

—  but  you  do  as  you  like.    [Threatens  him 
jestingly  with  crop.]   If  you're  not  careful, 
I'll    soil    your    lily-white    record    with    a 
three-day   arrest  for  continued   disobedi- 
ence of  your  Captain's  orders. —  But  what 
I    meant   to    say !  —  In    distributing   the 


ACT  i  TAPS  3 

remounts  for  the  fall  manceuvers  you 
assigned  Caroline  to  Lieut,  von  Lauffen. 

VOLKHARDT:  Your  pardon,  Captain!  As  the 
Lieutenant  is  to  command  the  third  squad, 
I  thought  it  best.  You  know  Diana  is 
a  pretty  high-spirited  animal,  and  — 

VON  BANNEWITZ:  And  therefore  just  the 
mount  for  von  Lauffen.  He  can  surely 
manage  her,  can't  he? 

VOLKHARDT  [beaming] :  He  certainly  can,  sir, 
if  anyone! 

VON  BANNEWITZ:  Well?  And? 

VOLKHARDT  :  With  your  permission,  Captain ! 
I  wouldn't  take  a  chance  in  the  front 
rank  with  that  nag,  if  only  on  account  of 
the  impression  a  bad  break  would  make 
on  the  men.  I  tell  you,  sir,  just  about  now 
that  mare  is  liable  to  do  most  anything, 
when  you  least  expect  it. 

VON  BANNEWITZ  i  Volkhardt,  you  are  fibbing. 
I  appreciate  your  desire  to  shield  your 
lieutenant.  At  Vionville  in  1870  his  father, 
the  old  excellency,  cut  you  out  of  a  body 
of  French  cuirassiers  and  now  the  son  is 
not  going  to  break  his  neck  if  you  can 
prevent  it!  A  splendid  spirit,  Volkhardt, 
but  I  think  your  fears  are  groundless. 

VOLKHARDT:   At  your  service,  Captain. 

VON  BANNEWITZ:  And  you  may  assign  Diana 
to  the  Lieutenant  tomorrow. 


4  TAPS  ACT  i 

VOLKHARDT:  At  your  service,  Captain. 

VON  BANNEWTTZ:  And  one  thing  more. 
[Points  to  list.]  You  have  assigned  Der- 
flinger  to  yourself.  My  dear  Volkhardt! 
I  wouldn't  ride  that  atrocious  beast  my- 
self. Think  of  yourself  a  little,  Volkhardt. 
You  are  fifty  now,  thirty-three  years  of 
which  you've  spent  in  the  service.  You 
are  entitled  to  some  consideration. 

VOLKHARDT:  Your  pardon,  Captain.  If  you 
mean  that  I  am  getting  too  old  for  the 
service,  I  would  rather  you'd  tell  me  so 
outright.  It'll  be  pretty  hard  to  leave  the 
old  regiment. 

VON  BANNEWITZ  [thoughtfully  striking  his 
boot  with  crop,  then  looking  up  sharply]: 
Volkhardt!  I  believe  this  is  the  first 
time,  since  I  have  taken  command  of 
this  troop,  that  you  have  given  me  cause 
to  censure  you.  You  surely  know  how 
you  are  appreciated  by  your  superiors, 
from  the  Commandant  down  to  the 
youngest  lieutenant! 

VOLKHARDT:  At  your  service,  Captain! 

VON  BANNEWITZ  :  Then  let's  say  no  more 
about  it.  And  to  me  you  should  have 
said  this  least  of  all.  In  ten  years  one 
learns  to  value  not  only  the  Sergeant 
Major,  but  to  appreciate  and  honor  the 
man.  If  the  Lord  wills,  I  shall  soon  obtain 


ACT  i  TAPS  5 

my  majority,  and  who  knows  where  I'll 
be  sent.  Now  whether  you  believe  me  or 
not,  I  shall  never  forget  you,  my  dear 
Volkhardt.  You  shall  always  live  in  my 
memory  as  the  model  of  a  trustworthy, 
Prussian  non-commissioned  officer.  [Shakes 
his  hand.] 

VOLKHARDT  [touched  —  his  voice  betraying 
his  emotion}:  My  most  respectful  thanks, 
Captain  —  and  —  I  ask  your  pardon!  I 
suppose  I  shouldn't  have  said  it  —  and 
yet,  some  of  these  days  I'll  have  to  quit 
the  service.  I  can't  help  it,  but  I  dread 
to  think  of  that  time. 

VON  BANNEWITZ:  Yes,  yes,  Volkhardt,  I 
understand  you  perfectly.  I  dare  say  if 
your  boy  were  living  today  you  wouldn't 
find  it  quite  so  hard.  No  doubt  he  would 
have  made  as  splendid  a  non-commissioned 
officer  as  his  father.  It's  a  pity  he  died  so 
young. 

VOLKHARDT  \gruffly}:  No,  Captain! 

VON  BANNEWITZ:  No?  Oh,  well!  Perhaps 
not!  But  that  doesn't  sound  very  nice 
coming  from  you. 

VOLKHARDT:  Your  pardon,  Captain,  but  I 
believe  it  was  a  good  thing  the  misfortune 
came  at  the  time  it  did.  Now  I  can  re- 
member the  boy  at  least  as  a  half  decent 
sort.  Had  he  lived  —  !  I'm  afraid  he 


6  TAPS  ACT  i 

would  have  come  to  a  bad  end.  That  he 
drank  and  was  a  devil  after  the  women  — 
well,  he  might  have  gotten  over  that  in 
time,  but  his  mania  for  gambling  and  — 
well,  Captain,  with  your  permission,  he 
is  better  off  where  he  is. 

VON  BANNEWITZ:  At  any  rate  it  would 
have  made  it  easier  for  you  when  the  time 
comes  to  lay  aside  your  beloved  uniform. 
[Puts  on  his  gloves  and  starts  to  leave.]  Now 
you  will  have  to  content  yourself  with 
Miss  Clara  alone. 

VOLKHARDT  [beaming] :  At  your  service, 
Captain!  That  girl  should  have  been  a 
boy.  There's  no  nonsense  there.  You  can 
depend  on  her! 

VON  BANNEWITZ  [more  animated  than  usual}: 
Sergeant  Major,  your  daughter  is  a  jewel. 
Lucky  man  indeed  who  gets  her  for  a  wife. 

VOLKHARDT:   At    your    service,    Captain  - 
and    while    we're   on   the    subject,    could 
Sergeant  Helbig  obtain  the  marriage  con- 
sent? That  is,  of  course,  if  it  came  to 
that. 

VON  BANNEWITZ  [hesitating] :  Helbig?  Let  me 
see!  I  don't  think  there's  anything  in  his 
record  to  prevent!  So  he  is  the  lucky 
man?  Why,  of  course!  You  brought  him 
up  yourself !  The  young  people  have  known 
each  other  for  a  long  time.  He  returned 


ACT  i  TAPS  7 

today  from  the  military  riding  academy 
at  Hanover,  where  he  left  an  enviable 
reputation  behind  him.  He's  a  little  awk- 
ward, perhaps,  but  thorough  —  very  thor- 
ough! And  do  you  think  he  will  be  the 
right  sort  of  a  companion  for  your 
daughter? 

VOLKHARDT:  I  think  so,  Captain! 

VON  BANNEWITZ:  Well,  I  think  the  young 
lady  should  be  the  best  judge  of  that! 
Only  one  thing  you  must  promise  me, 
Volkhardt.  Don't  try  to  influence  the 
girl.  She  should  have  her  own  way  in 
such  things. 

VOLKHARDT  [smiling]:  Your  pardon,  Cap- 
tain, but  that's  just  the  trouble  with  her. 
She's  a  good  and  obedient  girl,  but  I've 
never  been  able  to  instill  her  with  the 
proper  military  subordination. 

VON  BANNEWITZ  :  Thank  goodness !  For  after 
all,  Sergeant,  the  military  regulations 
were  not  intended  for  the  whole  world. 

CLARA  [enters  quickly,  then  a  trifle  embar- 
rassed]: Excuse  me  intruding,  Captain! 
I  wanted  to  ask  father  something. 

VON  BANNEWITZ  [with  finished  gallantry,  but 
more  that  of  the  father,  or  the  uncle  toward 
his  niece]:  Intrusion?  Nonsense!  I  was 
just  about  to  go  —  and  —  may  I  offer 
you  this  modest  flower?  [Takes  a  wild 


8  TAPS  ACT  i 

rose  from  his  buttonhole  and  gives  it  to  her.] 
It  came  from  French  soil,  and,  who  knows, 
may  even  become  the  innocent  cause  of 
another  sanguinary  conflict. 

CLARA:  Oh,  Captain,  let's  hope  not!  [Fastens 
the  rose  on  her  bosom.]  You  must  have 
taken  quite  a  ride  this  morning. 

VON  BANNEWITZ:  As  far  as  the  border.  Our 
friends  the  Dragoons  de  Giromagny  were 
up  and  astir  as  early  as  ourselves.  I 
picked  the  rose  from  the  foreign  bush  and 
called  to  the  French  Captain:  Pour  mon 
amour!  Saluting,  he  answered:  Bien  des 
choses  de  ma  part!  You  see,  Miss  Clara, 
even  the  French  Captain  lays  his  heart 
at  your  feet. 

CLARA:  Now,  Captain,  you  can't  make  me 
believe  that.  But  isn't  the  rose  beautiful! 
I  thank  you,  Captain ! 

VON  BANNEWITZ  :  But  I  must  be  going.  Good 
morning,  Miss  Clara  [slight  bow].  Morn- 
ing, Sergeant! 

CLARA  AND  VOLKHARDT:  Good  morning, 
Captain ! 

VON  BANNEWITZ :  Morning!   [Exit.] 

VOLKHARDT  [scolding  good-naturedly]:  Don- 
nerwetter,  Clara!  How  often  must  I  tell 
you  not  to  burst  in  here  in  that  manner? 
Now  be  quick.  Say  what  you've  got  to 
say  and  then  —  [whistles  and  points  to  door]. 


ACT  i  TAPS  9 

CLARA:  In  a  minute!  Well,  dad,  an  orderly 
from  the  non-com's  mess  wants  to  know, 
if  the  keg,  that  you  —  you,  dad  —  have 
ordered  for  tonight,  is  to  be  Colmar  lager 
or  real  Munchener ! 

VOLKHARDT  [has  straightened  up.  After  a 
slight  pause]:  Munchener!  [Continues  to 
write.] 

CLARA:  Donnerwetter!  [Smacks  her  lips.]  I 
tell  you,  the  Magdeburger  Uhlans!  Eh, 
dad?  —  What's  going  on,  dad? 

VOLKHARDT:   Curiosity!   [Points  to  the  door.] 

CLARA:  Dad! 

VOLKHARDT:  Will  you  quit  bothering  me? 
I  have  work  to  do  here. 

CLARA:  A  secret,  eh?  If  you'll  let  me  in  on 
it  you  may  write  all  evening.  [Drops  on 
a  chair.]  Well,  daddy? 

VOLKHARDT:  Well  —  a  new  arrival! 

CLARA:  In  whose  honor  you  are  treating  a 
whole  keg  of  Munchener.  I  can't  imagine 
who  that  can  be. 

VOLKHARDT:  Or  rather,  some  one  has  re- 
turned. 

CLARA  [thinks  a  moment,  then  shakes  her 
head]. 

VOLKHARDT  :  From  Hanover  —  from  the 
military  riding  academy. 

CLARA  [thoughtful  for  a  moment  —  then  sud- 
denly pales.  All  jollity  has  left  her]:  Otto? 


10  TAPS  ACT  i 

VOLKHARDT:  Well?  —  Clara!  What's  the 
matter  with  you?  Aren't  you  glad? 

CLARA:  Why,    daddy  —  of   course.   Only- 
I  never  thought  of  that !   Never ! 

VOLKHARDT  [scratching  his  head]:  Clara! 
Come  here  to  me.  [Pulls  her  on  his  knee.] 
There,  dear.  And  now  look  me  in  the 
eye.  [With  suppressed  anger  as  Clara  lowers 
her  glances.]  Damme,  girl,  you  surely 
can  look  your  old  father  in  the  eye!  Do 
you  hear  me?  Clara?  Or  have  you  got 
something  on  your  conscience?  [Reluc- 
tantly she  forces  herself  to  look  into  his 
eyes.]  There!  I  knew  it.  What  could  you 
have  to  hide  from  your  old  daddy?  But 
I  want  to  know  what's  the  matter  with 
you  lately.  Something's  wrong.  One 
minute  you  sing  and  are  as  happy  as  a 
lark,  and  without  any  apparent  reason  - 
and  then  the  next  you  hang  your  head 
like  a  distempered  horse — also  without 
any  reason.  I  tell  you  frankly  I  don't 
like  that.  Here  I  imagine  it's  going  to  be 
a  happy  surprise  when  I  tell  you  of  Otto's 
return  —  !  Instead  of  that  you  — 

CLARA  [has  risen  —  a  trifle  stubbornly] :  I 
don't  know  what  you  want,  father.  Of 
course  I'm  glad  Otto  has  returned,  but 
you  can't  expect  me  to  —  well  —  [shrugs 
her  shoulders]. 


ACT   I  TAPS  11 

VOLKHARDT:  But  I  thought  you  two  under- 
stood each  other  perfectly? 

CLARA:   Who  said  so? 

VOLKHARDT:  Zum  donnerwetter!  The  devil 
knows  how  to  take  you  women.  I've  got 
a  pair  of  eyes  in  my  head,  haven't  I? 
Now  don't  stand  there  like  a  balky  horse! 
Haven't  you  got  a  tongue  in  your  head? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [enters  briskly] :  Sergeant  Major 
Volkhardt!  The  Captain  wants  to  see  you 
about  the  last  forage  bills.  The  last 
delivery  seems  to  be  short  five  bales  of  hay. 

VOLKHARDT  [busily]  i  At  your  service,  Lieu- 
tenant. [Looks  on  table.]  Let's  see.  Yes, 
here  they  are  [as  he  finds  them]. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Good  morning,  Miss  Clara! 

CLARA:   Good  morning,  Lieutenant. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [to  Volkhardt,  who  is  at  the 
door  by  this  time]:  You  will  find  the 
Captain  in  the  remount  stables. 

VOLKHARDT'  At  your  service,  Lieutenant! 
[Exit.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [kissing  Clara] :  Morning,  mouse ! 

CLARA  :   Good  morning,  dear. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Just  out  of  bed,  I  suppose. 

CLARA:  Not  a  bit  of  it.  I  was  up  as  early  as 
you. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Really?  You?  Nonsense. 
You  were  fast  asleep. 

CLARA:   Could  any  one  sleep  when  a  whole 


12  TAPS  ACT   I 

regiment  of  heavy  cavalry  on  field  duty 
passes  your  window? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  At  three-thirty  A.M.  It's  an 
outrage.  It's  surely  no  fun,  serving  in  a 
frontier  corps.  No  indeed.  Ton  my  word. 

CLARA:  And  I  saw  you  yawning,  too. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  That  was  almost  human 
under  the  circumstances,  wasn't  it? 

CLARA:  And  then  you  boxed  Michalek's  ear. 
That's  cruelty  to  soldiers. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  I  plead  guilty  again.  Think 
of  it!  Because  I  had  run  out  of  cognac 
he  filled  my  canteen  with  bay  rum. 

CLARA:  The  stupid. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  And  you  —  [softly  —  draw- 
ing her  to  him]  you  crawled  back  into  your 
soft,  white,  little  bed?  [Startled,  pushes 
her  away,  as  he  hears  some  one  approaching. 
Heavy,  martial  footsteps,  clanking  spurs]. 

QUEISS  [enters,  comes  to  attention  bruskly. 
Notices  Clara  with  slight  astonishment]. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [sharply] :  What  is  it,  Queiss? 

QUEISS:  Your  pardon,  Lieutenant.  The  Cap- 
tain wishes  to  see  the  Sergeant  Major  in 
regard  to  the  last  forage  delivery. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  I've  already  told  the  Ser- 
geant Major.  He  should  be  there  by  this 
time. 

QUEISS:  At  your  service,  Lieutenant.  [Clicks 
his  heels  together;  with  a  sharp  turn  exits.] 


ACT  i  TAPS  13 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Disagreeable  fellow,  this 
Queiss. 

CLARA  :  I  don't  know.  He  has  never  done  me 
any  harm,  but  somehow  I'm  afraid  of  him. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Of  him?  Nonsense!  [As  she 
looks  at  him  surprised  —  kindly] :  Don't  be 
foolish,  sweetheart.  Why  should  you? 
He's  a  detestable  sneak,  that's  all.  A  sort 
of  a  conspirator.  One  of  these  socialistic 
agitators  disguised  in  the  honorable  uni- 
form of  the  Uhlans.  Nothing  frank  or 
open  about  him.  He  reminds  me  of — ! 
At  any  rate,  I  can't  bear  the  fellow. 

CLARA  [timidly]:  I  wonder  if  he  saw  any- 
thing —  at  that  time? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [a  trifle  disturbed]'.  When? 

CLARA:  You  remember!  The  time  I  left 
you.  He  was  just  returning  from  stable 
revision  and  it  was  already  dawning. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Nonsense,  girl.  It  was  your 
imagination.  He  didn't  see  anything.  You 
see  specters,  my  dear;  specters,  upon  my 
word. 

CLARA:  I  only  hope  you're  right.  Yet  I 
can't  help  feeling  as  I  do.  But  I  must  get 
back  now.  Good  morning,  Kurt.  [Would 
go  to  door.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [holds  and  kisses  her]:  Wait  a 
moment.  A  kiss  in  the  company  quarters! 
That's  surely  something  new. 


14  TAPS  ACT  i 

CLARA:  Dearest.   [Returns  the  kiss.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [softly] :  Tell  me,  sweetheart, 
when  are  you  coining  to  see  me  again? 
Tonight?  After  Taps  has  sounded?  Come, 
promise  me ! 

CLARA:  But,  Kurt  dear  — 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Come  now,  give  me  your 
promise.  That's  a  good  girl ! 

CLARA:  But  it  can't  be  done. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Why  not? 

CLARA  [deliberating]:  The  non-commissioned 
officers  have  a  little  affair  at  their  mess 
tonight.  Father'll  be  there  —  [after  a  mo- 
ment's hesitation  throws  herself  on  his  breast]. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Then  you'll  come?  [She  nods 
as  she  releases  herself.]  And  the  signal 
as  usual  —  the  green  shade  over  my 
lamp? 

CLARA  [nods  and  would  go  to  the  door.  Lauffen 
is  still  holding  her  hand]. 

HELBIG  [enters.  In  full  dress  uniform.  He  is 
surprised  to  find  Clara  here.  As  he  sees 
Lauffen  he  comes  to  attention  and  announces] : 
Respectfully  report  the  return  of  Sergeant 
Helbig  from  the  military  riding  academy 
of  Hanover. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [superior,  though  slightly  em- 
barrassed] :  'Tis  well,  Helbig.  Hm  —  ! 
Yes!  —  Well,  and  how  did  you  like  Han- 
over? Jolly  old  burg,  isn't  it? 


ACT  i  TAPS  15 

HELBIG:  At  your  service,  Lieutenant!  It's 
a  fine  city  —  [his  eyes  are  seeking  Clara], 
but  I  think  it's  much  nicer  here  at  home 
with  our  own  regiment. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  What?  Here  in  Sennheim? 
But,  every  man  to  his  taste  [dismissing 
him]:  'Tis  well,  Helbig.  Oh —  !  Perhaps 
you  wanted  to  wait  for  the  Sergeant  Major 
here? 

HELBIG:  At  your  service,  Lieutenant. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Then  I  presume,  Miss  Clara, 
we  may  as  well  go.  [Turns  to  her  as  if 
to  let  her  go  out  first.] 

CLARA  [after  slight  hesitation] :  No  thank  you, 
Lieutenant.  I  haven't  seen  my  foster 
brother  for  two  years,  and  — 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Your  foster  brother? 

CLARA:  Yes!  Sergeant  Helbig  [reluctantly 
giving  Helbig  her  hand].  How  do  you  do, 
Otto! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [biting  his  lip]:  Of  course!  I 
had  forgotten  entirely.  Volkhardt  was 
your  guardian? 

HELBIG:  At  your  service,  Lieutenant.  I  have 
been  with  him  since  my  twelfth  year. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Yes,  yes.  I  remember  now. 
Then  I  will  no  longer  disturb  you.  Morn- 
ing! [Exits  with  a  slight  bow  to  Clara.] 

HELBIG  [has  come  to  attention  and  opened  the 
door  —  closes  it  after  Lieutenant.  Now  hap- 


16  TAPS  ACT  i 

pily    seeks   Clarets   hand]:  Donnerwetter, 

Clara!   This    is    a    surprise!   Eh,    what? 

You  hadn't  the  slightest  idea  I  was  coming. 

I  made  father  promise  not  to  say  a  word. 

It  was  to  be  a  surprise  —  like  a  flank  attack 

on    the    enemy.   And    didn't    I    succeed? 

Eh,  what? 
CLARA   [with  a  weak  attempt  to  assume  his 

tone]:  Yes  indeed,  Otto.   However,  father 

did  tell  me  you  were  coming  —  just  a  few 

moments  ago  — 
HELBIG  [blundering] :   So  he  couldn't  keep  his 

mouth  shut  after  all. 
CLARA,  [trying  to  get  away] :  But  have  you  seen 

him  yet?   I  will  call  him. 
HELBIG:  Nevermind,  Clara;  stay  here!  He's 

with  the  Captain  in  the  remount  stables. 

I  nodded  to  him  as  I  came  by.   He'll  soon 

be  here. 
CLARA:  But  I  must  go  anyway!  A  canteen 

orderly  has  been  waiting  for  half  an  hour 

for  an  answer  from  me  — 
HELBIG:  Oh,  let  him  wait! 
CLARA:  No,  no!   [Would  go.] 
HELBIG  [reaches  the  door  first  and  stops  her 

with  outstretched  arms]:  Halt!    Attention! 

No  one  can  pass  this  way! 
CLARA  [annoyed] :   Otto,  stop  your  nonsense! 
HELBIG:  Nonsense?  That's   the   custom   of 

war.   Clara  —  [approaches  her  —  sincerely]. 


ACT  i  TAPS  17 

Won't  you  give  me  a  real  welcome  home 
now?  I've  been  away  for  two  long  years  — 

CLARA  :  Well  —  I've  already  shaken  hands 
with  you,  haven't  I? 

HELBIG:  Oh  yes!  —  I  see!  I'll  have  to  take 
my  kiss  by  force!  [Clumsily  tries  to  em- 
brace and  kiss  her.] 

CLARA  [preventing  him — fiercely]:  Don't  do 
that!  I  won't  have  it! 

HELBIG  [steps  back,  startled]:  Well  then, 
don't!  I  can't  say  you  are  very  nice  to 
me  after  my  long  absence ! 

CLARA  [shrugs  her  shoulders  and  goes  to  the 
door]. 

HELBIG  [pleading]:  What  have  you  got 
against  me,  all  of  a  sudden?  We  always 
got  along  well  together!  Why  are  you  now 
so  —  so  ugly  towards  me? 

CLARA:  Good  heavens,  Otto,  I  don't  mean 
to  be  ugly  towards  you  —  certainly  not! 
But  you  must  come  to  realize  that  the 
foolishness  of  the  old  days  can't  go  on 
forever. 

HELBIG:  Foolishness?  So  that's  what  you 
call  it  now?  [Plaintively]  Clara!  All  the 
two  long  years  I've  been  away  in  Hanover 
I  never  once  ceased  to  think  of  this,  what 
you  call  " foolishness."  And  I  can  tell 
you  the  service  and  the  duties  there  are 
not  the  easiest  in  the  world.  For  the  first 


18  TAPS  ACT  i 

few  weeks  I  didn't  know  whether  every 
bone  in  my  body  was  really  broken,  or 
whether  it  was  just  imagination.  And  the 
officers  and  instructors — ?  A  fellow  has 
to  hold  his  temper  till  all  is  learned. 
That's  the  time  he  thinks  of  his  home! 
And  then,  when  things  became  easier  and 
my  time  neared  the  end,  I  thought  of 
home  and  you  —  more  than  ever!  How 
nice  and  kind  you  had  always  been  to  me, 
and  —  and  what  you  just  now  call  foolish- 
ness— 

CLARA:  Why  Otto,  dear,  I  really  am  glad 
that  you  are  home  again  — 

HELBIG:  Now  you  are  lying,  Clara;  I  can 
see  it  in  your  face.  You  needn't  try  to 
pretend:  I  can  catch  the  drift  of  your 
argument  all  right.  [Softer]  Tell  me,  at 
least,  why  you  don't  want  me  any  more ! 

CLARA:  Why  Otto,  I  don't  know  what  you 
mean. 

HELBIG  [roughly]:  Oh,  hell!  Don't  try  to 
fool  me.  [Persuasive  again]  See  here, 
Clara!  All  the  way,  on  my  long  trip  home, 
from  early  yesterday  morning  throughout 
the  whole  night  I  thought  of  nothing  but 
you,  and  how  delighted  you'd  be  at  my 
sudden  appearance.  If  she  wept  like  a 
child  when  I  left,  said  I  to  myself,  she'll 
just  throw  her  arms  around  me  and — 


ACT  i  TAPS  19 

and  this  is  what  I  get.  And  Clara,  you 
must  have  a  reason  for  it  all.  You  used 
to  think  nothing  of  giving  me  a  kiss  — 

CLARA:  That's  when  we  were  supposed  to 
be  sweethearts. 

HELBIG  [flaring  up] :  So  that's  at  an  end  too, 
is  it?  Now  I  know  at  least  where  I  stand. 

CLARA  :  If  you'd  only  be  reasonable  — 

HELBIG:  Oh,  damn  it,  shut  your  m — ! 
Don't  try  to  hoodwink  me. 

CLARA  [startled  at  the  curse  —  now  with 
dignity]:  Do  you  think  swearing  at  me  is 
going  to  help  matters? 

HELBIG:  I  see!  You've  gotten  to  be  a  fine 
lady  now,  and  it  offends  your  aristocratic 
ears.  Damn  it!  Then  of  course  I'm  no 
longer  a  fit  companion  for  the  likes  of  you. 
Yes  —  when  a  Captain  is  dancing  attend- 
ance to  her  and  presents  her  with  flowers  — 
[as  she  looks  up  at  him,  surprised]  —  Oh, 
I'm  not  as  big  a  fool  as  I  look.  When  I 
reported  to  the  Captain  a  while  ago  he  had 
that  rose  in  his  buttonhole.  To  be  sure, 
what's  a  common  Sergeant  compared  to  a 
noble  Captain?  The  old  baldhead,  with 
about  as  much  hair  on  his  head  as  a  mangy 
horse. 

CLARA  :  Well  —  don't  ever  let  father  hear 
you  rave  like  that,  if  you  know  what's 
good  for  yourself.  Your  stay  at  Hanover 


20  TAPS  ACT  i 

seems  to  have  turned  you  into  half  an 
anarchist. 

HELBIG:  Anarchist  nothing.  Though  I've 
learned  to  realize  that  an  officer  is  just  a 
common  mortal  like  ourselves,  and  not  a 
demigod. 

CLARA:  Well,  who  said  he  was?  At  any  rate 
it's  immaterial  to  me  what  you  think  about 
it.  [Imploring]  Only  one  thing  I  will 
ask  of  you,  Otto.  Let's  not  make  father's 
lot  heavier  than  it  is  already.  He  will  have 
to  quit  the  service  soon,  and  you  know  how 
heavily  that  weighs  on  his  heart.  So  we 
shouldn't  worry  him  with  our  little  troubles 
just  now.  You  say  you  love  me,  Otto! 
I  —  I  —  am  awfully  sorry  I  can't  return 
it!  [As  she  sees  he  is  hurt]  That  is,  I 
love  you  very  much  —  only  not  the  same 
as  you  love  me  —  not  the  same  way,  I 
mean  —  and  —  and  if  you  truly  love  me, 
Otto,  don't  tell  father  about  this,  will  you? 

HELBIG:  If  you  talk  to  me  like  that,  then  — 
I  can't  —  then  you  can  do  anything  — 
ask   anything  you   like.   And  father?   Of 
course  I'll  not  worry  him  with  it!   What 
good  would  that  do  me,  since  you  don't 
care    for   me    any    longer?  And    what    I 
said  about  the  Captain  a  moment  ago  — 
I  know  it,  it  was  contemptible.   Yes,  it 
was.   It  was  only  my  rotten  temper,  that's 


ACT  i  TAPS  21 

all!  Don't  I  know  you've  been  his  pet 
since  you  were  a  little  girl?  [With  slight 
bitterness]  That,  at  least,  seems  to  have 
remained  as  of  old. 

CLARA:  Now  you're  talking  sensibly!  And 
just  to  satisfy  you,  daddy  stood  here,  and 
the  Captain  there  when  he  gave  me  this 
flower. 

HELBIG:  There,  I  knew  it  —  and  I  was 
only  talking  like  a  jealous  fool.  [Up  and 
down.]  And  it  won't  happen  again,  Clara. 
But  do  you  know  if  I  were  to  be  jealous 
again  it  would  be  of  Lieutenant  von 
Lauffen,  rather  than  the  Captain. 

CLARA  :  I'd  like  to  know  — 

HELBIG  :  Why  —  when  I  came  in  he  didn't 
seem  to  want  to  let  go  of  your  hand.  I 
saw  it  plain  enough. 

CLARA:  He  only  meant  it  in  fun. 

HELBIG:  Of  course  he  did.  But  hasn't  he 
improved?  Four  years  ago,  when  I  gave 
him  his  first  instructions  as  a  cadet,  the 
young  cub  seemed  to  sort  of  rebel  against 
taking  his  medicine.  I  woke  the  young 
milksop  up  all  right.  And  what  a  fine- 
looking  young  fellow  he  has  grown  to  be! 
Eh,  what? 

CLARA  [nervously]:  Lord  knows,  Otto,  this 
military  riding  academy  must  be  a  dreadful 
place.  You've  learned  expressions  there 


22  TAPS  ACT  i 

—  why  I  never  heard  you  speak  so  dis- 
respectfully of  your  superior  officers  before. 

HELBIG:  Now,  Clara,  don't  exaggerate.  I 
respect  von  Lauffen  as  much  as  any  one, 
and  carry  out  my  orders  because  it's  got 
to  be  done.  But  what  you  would  call  the 
real,  genuine  respect,  inwardly,  I  mean  — 
Well,  why  should  I?  I  obey  because  it's 
my  duty,  but  aside  from  being  my  superior, 
he's  a  human  being,  with  a  fresh,  youthful 
face,  a  sprouting  mustache  —  er  —  what 
you  would  call  a  handsome  young  fellow. 

CLARA:  Just  what  I  said  before.  You've 
become  a  genuine,  redheaded  anarchist. 

HELBIG:  Nonsense!  I've  taken  the  oath  to 
the  colors,  and  that  settles  it,  as  far  as  I 
am  concerned. 

CLARA:  But  that  you  have  selected  Lieu- 
tenant von  Lauffen  for  your  special  criti- 
cism is,  to  say  the  least,  detestable. 

HELBIG:  How  so?  What  do  you  mean? 

CLARA:  I  should  think  you  ought  to  know 
what  I  mean! 

HELBIG:  You  mean  his  father  saved  your 
father's  life  in  1870!  That's  very  good. 
That  was  the  old  man.  I  don't  see  why 
the  boy  - 

CLARA  [struggling  with  indignation]:  Then 
ask  in  the  troop,  or  in  the  whole  regiment, 
what  they  think  of  him.  The  Colonel, 


ACT  i  TAPS  23 

the  Captain,  my  father  —  and  I  myself. 

We  all  think  some  day  he'll  be  worthy  of 

his  noble  father. 
HELBIG:   Say  —  you    are    certainly    a    fine 

champion  of  the  young  Lieutenant. 
CLARA:  Not  at  all!  But  I  won't  have  him 

belittled  or  slandered  by  any  one. 
HELBIG   [something  seems  to  dawn  on  him]: 

Clara  —  you  - 
CLARA  [quickly  to  the  door]:   I've  got  to  go 

now  — 

HELBIG:  Then  it's  Lauffen — ? 
CLARA  [fiercely  —  stamping  her  foot] :  Don't 

you    mention    that    name    again.   Under- 
stand?   [Exits.] 
HELBIG  [taking  a  step  or  two  as  if  to  follow 

her.    Then   rams   his   saber   to   the  floor]: 

You  just  wait!   [Goes  to  stool,  sits  down  and 

buries  his  face  in  his  hands.] 
QUEISS  [enters  bruskly.   He  is  about  to  come 

to   attention,    when   he   recognizes   Helbig. 

Then  he  leisurely  comes  forward]. 
HELBIG  [has  looked  around,  slowly  rises  and 

meets  Queiss  half  way}. 

QUEISS:   Once  more,  my  boy,  welcome  home. 
HELBIG  [shakes  his  hand] :   Thank  you,  Queiss ! 
QUEISS:  What's  the  matter  with  you? 
HELBIG:  Oh  —  nothing. 
QUEISS  [shrugs  his  shoulders  —  walks  away, 

whistling    the    signal    "quickstep    march." 


24  TAPS  ACT  i 

After  a  pause]:  Waiting  for  the  Sergeant 

Major? 

HELBIG:  Yes!  And  you? 
QUEISS  :  Yep !   [Pause  —  now  whistles  signal 

"gallop  march."]   Well,  boy,  how  did  you 

like  Hanover? 
HELBIG:  Oh,  pretty  fair. 
QUEISS:  Is  that  all  you've  got  to  say  to  me? 

That  ain't  much!  Have  you  had  a  kick 

in  the  mouth,  that  you've  lost  your  speech? 
HELBIG:   Nonsense! 
QUEISS:   Nonsense,  hell !  You  weren't  always 

so  close-mouthed.    [Whistles  signal  "double 

quickstep  march.1"]   We  had  assignment  of 

horses  yesterday.   For  the  manoeuvers  I 

gave  you  Dolores. 
HELBIG  [listlessly]:  Yes?   What  sort  of  a  nag 

is  she? 
QUEISS  [whistles  through  his  teeth] :  Whew !  A 

beast!  But  I  broke  her  temper,  believe 

me.   You've  learned  to  ride  yourself  now. 

They  know  their  business  at  the  riding 

academy,  don't  they? 
HELBIG  [nods]. 
QUEISS:  Damned  if  they  don't.   I  guess  you'll 

be  able  to  handle  the  old  skate,  all  right. 

[Like  a  rider  driving  his  horse.]   Hoop  la! 

Go!    Keep    your   seat!    Sit   up    straight! 

Eh,  boy? 
HELBIG  [a  trifle  boastfully]:   Don't  you  worry 


ACT  i  TAPS  25 

about  me.  At  the  academy  we  had  a 
halfbreed  Arabian  mare  called  Penthesilea 
or  Parsley,  or  something  like  that,  who 
threw  them  all.  To  come  within  ten  feet 
of  her  meant  broken  bones. 

QUEISS:  Damn  it,  that's  the  stuff  for  my 
money.  You  find  that  spirit  only  with 
horses.  And  you  rode  her? 

HELBIG  :   I  was  to  ride  her  — 

QUEISS:  Oh,  hell! 

HELBIG:  Well,  I  would  have  ridden  her  if  — 

QUEISS:  If  what? 

HELBIG:  If  she  hadn't  broken  her  neck. 
Yes,  and  her  rider's  as  well.  It  was 
Captain  Weinsperg. 

QUEISS:  Weinsperg?  Of  the  Baden  Dra- 
goons? You  don't  say?  A  damned  fine 
fellow.  He  was  already  instructor  at  my 
time.  But  I  always  said  he  would  come 
to  that  end. 

HELBIG:  Why  so? 

QUEISS:  Hm!  He  spent  all  his  spare  time 
with  women!  Creatures!  And  that  weak- 
ens, my  boy !  Here  —  and  here  —  and 
here  —  [points  in  succession  to  his  wrists, 
his  thighs  and  the  small  of  his  back].  That 
couldn't  happen  to  me.  [Close  to  him]: 
My  boy!  There's  yet  time.  Let  her  alone. 

HELBIG:  What  do  you  mean? 

QUEISS:  Hell,  man!   Don't  try  to  fool  me. 


26  TAPS  ACT  i 

Didn't  I  see  that  female  glide  out  of  that 

door  a  moment   ago,   and   now   you   are 

hobbling    around    here    like    a    spavined 

mule.    [Fiercely]   I  tell  you,  let  her  alone! 
HELBIG:  Queiss!   You  know  something! 
QUEISS:   You  bet  I  do,  and  when  I  hear  the 

swishing  of  skirts  I  look  the  other  way. 

Over    here    [looks    aside]  —  up    there  — 

[looks  to  ceiling], 
HELBIG:   Clara  has  been  living  here  under 

your   very   nose.   You   must   know   what 

she's  been  up  to  these  two  years. 
QUEISS:   I    ain't    been    running    after    her. 

Don't  know  what  she's  been  up  to. 
HELBIG:  You    all  live  here  close  together. 

When  one  steps  out  of  his  door,  you  might 

say,  he  is  treading  on  someone  else's  heels. 

And  there  are  other  women  here  too  and 

scandal  mongers  — 
QUEISS:   I  look  the  other  way.   Over  here  — 

up  there ! 
HELBIG:  And   the   boys   are   fond    of   silly 

rumors.   You  must  have  heard  them  talk. 

You're  not  deaf. 
QUEISS:   When  they  commence  their  dirty 

yarns  about  women  I'm  deaf,  dumb  and 

blind. 
HELBIG   [sharply]:   Then   why   do   you   say, 

"Let  her  alone"?   You  must   have  some 

reason  to  tell  me  to  let  Clara  alone. 


ACT  i  TAPS  27 

QUEISS:  Clara?  [Harsh  laugh]  Ha-ha-ha-ha!  I 
don't  mean  any  particular  one!  Clara, 
Gretchen,  Lisbeth  —  they  all  look  alike 
to  me.  Let  her  alone,  I  say ! 

HELBIG:  You're  crazy,  Queiss.  You  are 
yourself  a  mother's  son. 

QUEISS:  That's  all  right,  but  whether  I'm 
my  father's  son  or  not,  that's  a  horse  of 
another  color.  See  here,  Helbig.  I  was  a 
young  fellow  like  you  once  upon  a  time. 
No!  I  had  more  spunk  and  push  about 
me.  That  was  when  I  was  with  the 
second  Uhlans.  Well  —  I  got  married ! 
[Sneeringly]  Ha-ha-ha-ha!  Such  happiness! 
And  then  —  one  fine  day,  all  of  a  sudden, 
she  was  gone!  —  [whistles]  Girl,  money, 
everything  gone.  A  fellow  who  was  more 
able  to  buy  her  silk  skirts  and  hats  and 
ribbons  and  the  rest  of  the  devil's  finery 
had  taken  her  away  with  him.  Don't 
know  who  it  was!  Didn't  try  to  find  out, 
either.  But  inside  of  me  here  something 
began  to  boil  and  broil  like  hatred,  that 
would  destroy  and  smash  everything. 
And  after  a  while,  not  only  against  women 
in  general,  but  also  against  those  who've 
got  money.  For  he,  who  took  her  from 
me,  must  have  been  one  of  these  to  have 
been  able  to  satisfy  her  damnable  cravings 
for  rings  and  diamonds  and  silks  and 


28  TAPS  ACT  i 

satins.  Then,  my  boy,  for  the  first  time 
in  my  life  I  understood  the  sentiments 
of  those  who  would  kill  and  annihilate  all 
those  above  them.  The  higher  the  better. 
Then,  when  you  think  of  your  lost  happi- 
ness, your  wrecked  life  —  a  desire  comes 
over  you  to  cut  the  whole  world  to  pieces 
—  [long  pause]. 

HELBIG  [almost  to  himself]:  Queiss! 

QUEISS  [takes  a  deep  breath]:  Ah  —  at  that 
time,  my  boy  —  at  that  time.  But  now  — 
I  feel  contented!  Do  you  want  to  know 
why? 

HELBIG  [looks  up  at  him]. 

QUEISS:  Come  with  me  to  the  stables  and 
I'll  show  you  Dolores.  I  tell  you  an 
animal  like  that  is  far  superior  to  any 
human  being.  To  hell  with  them  all, 
particularly  the  women.  Now  you  take 
a  horse  —  take  its  head  between  your 
hands  —  and  the  nose,  I  tell  you  it's 
softer  than  any  woman's  arm.  And  how 
beautiful  and  intelligent  and  obedient 
they  are.  Of  course  you  must  go  at  them 
in  the  right  way.  And  those  who  are  shy 
at  first  and  unwilling,  they  are  the  very 
best.  They  have  character.  Come  with 
me  to  the  stables. 

HELBIG  [half  convinced] :  Yes,  I'll  go.  What 
else  can  I  do?  Yes,  yes,  you  are  right. 


ACT  i  TAPS  29 

[With  renewed  suspicion]  But  one  thing 
you  must  tell  me,  honor  bright.  Have 
you  noticed  anything  suspicious  between 
Clara  and  —  Lauffen? 

QUEISS:  Lauffen?  No!  Not  that  I  remem- 
ber. But  why  not?  He's  a  Lieutenant, 
an  officer.  That's  bait,  you  know.  And 
then  again  it  may  have  been  one  of  the 
boys.  We've  got  some  strapping  fellows 
in  the  troop  now,  I  tell  you.  You  know 
the  old  saying:  Love  goes  where  it's  sent 
even  if  it  falls  on  a  dung  heap.  Take  my 
advice:  Let  her  alone! 

HELBIG:  Then  you  know  nothing  —  really 
nothing? 

QUEISS:  Not  a  thing,  my  boy. —  But  wait! 
A  while  ago  I  came  here  for  the  Sergeant 
Major.  I  found  them  both  together — here. 

HELBIG:  Well,  well?  —  I  mean,  what  were 
they  doing? 

QUEISS:  Hell,  man!  The  company  room  is 
hardly  the  place  for — !  She  stood  here, 
and  he  there.  Of  course,  with  my  boots 
and  spurs  they  could  hear  me  from  afar. 

HELBIG  [fretting] :  So  they  were  already  here 
at  that  time  — 

QUEISS:  May  be  just  an  accident.  Let  her 
alone.  To  hell  with  women!  Come  along 
with  me,  I'll  show  you  Dolores. 

VOLKHARDT  [enters.   Has  heard  the  last  words 


30  TAPS  ACT  i 

of  Queiss]:  There's  lots  of  time  for  that 
later,  Queiss.  I  want  the  boy  to  myself 
for  a  little  while.  [Goes  to  Otto  and  shakes 
him  by  the  hand.]  At  last.  Welcome  — 
welcome  home,  Otto. 

HELBIG:   Thank  you,  father. 

VOLKHARDT:  Have  you  reported  all  around? 

HELBIG:   Yes,  father. 

VOLKHARDT:  Colonel?  Captain?  Lieuten- 
ant von  Hoeven?  Lieutenant  von  Lauffen? 

HELBIG:   I've  made  the  rounds,  father. 

VOLKHARDT:  That's  right!  Duty  above  all 
else.  [Sees  Queiss.]  Oh  —  you  wanted  the 
bill  of  lading  for  the  Woillachs,  Queiss! 
[Finds  it  on  table.]  Here  you  are  [gives 
it  to  him]. 

QUEISS:  Thank  you,  Sergeant  Major.  [Goes 
to  door.] 

VOLKHARDT:  I'll  send  the  boy  out  to  you 
during  the  noon  feed.  Then  you  can  show 
him  Dolores. 

QUEISS:  Very  well,  Sergeant  Major.  [With 
an  encouraging  glance  at  Otto  —  exits.] 

VOLKHARDT:  Now  then,  Otto,  come,  let 
me  have  a  good  look  at  you.  You  surely 
have  improved,  my  son. 

HELBIG:  Well,  father,  in  two  years  — 

VOLKHARDT:  And  I  needn't  tell  you  how 
glad  I  am  you're  back  again.  We'll  be 
the  same  happy  family  as  of  old  —  [starts 


ACT  i  TAPS  31 

putting  papers  away  into  drawers].  The 
devil,  boy.  Come  on  —  say  something 
yourself  — !  Oh!  —  Have  you  seen  Clara? 

HELBIG:  Yes!  I  saw  her  and  shook  hands 
with  her  here,  a  few  moments  ago. 

VOLKHARDT:  That's  right.  Lieutenant  von 
Lauffen  had  just  called  me  to  see  the 
Captain.  Well,  Otto!  What  do  you  think 
of  him?  The  Lieutenant,  I  mean!  Isn't 
he  a  joy  to  look  at?  He'll  be  like  his 
father  some  day.  He'll  make  his  mark, 
I  tell  you.  But  to  come  back  to  Clara. 
How  did  you  find  her? 

HELBIG:  Oh,  I  don't  know.  The  same  as 
ever,  I  suppose.  She  was  glad  to  see  me 
back,  of  course. 

VOLKHARDT:  Of  course  she  was.  And  she  threw 
her  arms  around  your  neck  and  —  well  — ? 

HELBIG:  Well  —  not  exactly  that  - 

VOLKHARDT:  It's  all  right,  Otto.  You  needn't 
try  to  keep  it  from  me.  I  know  you  had 
expected  to  find  things  different — poor  boy ! 

HELBIG:  Why,  father,  I  don't  know  what 
you  mean !  Clara  — 

VOLKHARDT:  Silence  in  the  ranks!  There, 
there  —  I  know !  But,  Otto,  my  boy, 
don't  hang  your  head  on  that  account. 

HELBIG  [still  trying  to  deceive  him]:  Why,  of 
course  not,  father  — 

VOLKHARDT   [with  a  gesture  of  impatience]: 


32  TAPS  ACT  i 

For  you  see  there  is  really  no  reason  for 
it.  Those  are  women's  foibles.  It'll  all 
pass  away  in  time.  For  right  down  in  her 
heart  Clara  has  remained  the  same  little 
girl  as  of  old.  [Partly  to  himself]  Hang  it 
all,  I  ought  to  know  my  own  child!  I'll 
answer  for  her  every  time.  Only  lately 
my  mind  is  —  I  don't  know  —  I  don't 
seem  to  be  able  to  think  — 

[Signal  for  the  noon  feed  is  heard  without.] 

HELBIG:   Fodder  signal! 

VOLKHARDT  [has  listened] :  Yes  — 

HELBIG  [as  Volkhardt  is  going  to  door]:  You 
are  not  going  to  mention  this  to  Clara,  are 
you,  father? 

VOLKHARDT:  Certainly  not,  Otto.  I'm  not 
a  fool.  I  know  her  too  well  for  that, 
my  boy.  I  know  my  own  girl. 

[Clatter  of  feet  is  heard  without,  of  many  men 
rushing  down  the  stairs.] 

VOLKHARDT:  Just  watch  me  and  see  how 
I'll  teach  these  laggards  to  attend  to  duty. 
[He  opens  the  door  with  a  jerk.  A  few 
privates  are  seen  passing.  Others  trying 
to  pass.  Some  with  curry  and  brush.  A 
few  with  rations  on  plates  slip  by  in  the 
opposite  direction.] 

VOLKHARDT:  Donnerwetter,  fellows,  what 
does  this  mean?  Will  you  betake  your- 
selves to  the  stables  at  once?  Younghans, 


ACT  i  TAPS  33 

you  lout.  Halt!  About  face!  March! 
First  the  horse,  and  then  the  man.  Ah! 
Here  comes  our  friend  Michalek. 

MICHALEK  [appears  in  door  with  plate  and 
ration,  masticating  frantically] . 

VOLKHARDT:  Have  you  attended  to  your 
horses?  Your  own  and  the  Lieutenant's? 

MICHALEK  [with  a  mighty  effort  to  swallow, 
shakes  his  head  —  would  leave}. 

VOLKHARDT:  Halt!  About  face!   March! 

MICHALEK  [stops  and  swallows]:  Isse  diss 
piece  fine  meat.  Fet!  Doo  much  fet! 

VOLKHARDT:  Will  you  look  at  the  pig!  [Imi- 
tating him]  Doo  much  fet!  You  glutton. 
Quick!  Take  it  over  to  your  bunk  and 
then  — 

MICHALEK:  Danke,  pan  Sergeant  Major. 
[Quickly  exits.] 

[A  few  more  trying  to  sneak  by.] 

VOLKHARDT  [bellows  at  them]:  Confounded 
lot  of  shirkers.  I'd  hate  to  be  your  horse. 
[Slams  door,  goes  back  to  table,  puts  the 
last  papers  into  drawer,  locks  the  chest.] 
There's  a  troop  for  you.  Now  come  along, 
Otto.  Hold  up  your  head.  I  tell  you 
everything  will  come  out  right  in  the  end. 

HELBIG  [following  him  to  the  door] :  Let's  hope 
it  will,  father. 

[Curtain] 


ACT  II 

Scene:  Lieutenant  von  Lauffen's  quarters  in 
the  barracks.  Walls  whitewashed  slightly 
green  tint.  Center  door  leading  out  upon  the 
corridor.  Door  to  the  right  leading  into  bed- 
room. On  the  opposite  side  two  windows  with 
striped  roller  shades,  same  as  Act  I.  Faded 
woolen  portieres  or  hangings  on  same.  Be- 
tween the  windows  a  gentleman's  small  dresser 
with  mirror.  On  same  are  the  usual  toilet 
articles,  brushes,  bottle  of  bay  rum,  etc.  In 
front  of  the  window  a  plain  and  not  too  large 
fiat-top  desk  of  oak  and  an  office  chair  of  the 
same  material.  At  the  window  a  large  and 
comfortable  wicker  chair,  with  deep  seat,  and 
well  filled  with  pillows  and  cushions.  On 
wall  left  of  center  door  a  bookshelf,  to  the  right 
of  center  door  a  hat  rack,  in  the  corner  a  stove. 
Next  to  the  bedroom  door  the  usual  brown- 
colored  wardrobe.  In  the  foreground,  with  its 
head  turned  toward  the  right  side  of  the  room, 
a  divan.  Within  reaching  distance  of  same,  a 
smoking  table  or  stand.  Pictures  of  military 
and  sporting  subjects.  Photographs  and  an 
arrangement  of  saber,  crop  and  riding  whips, 

34 


ACT  ii  TAPS  35 

etc.,  tied  with  ribbons,  with  programs  and 
cotillion  prizes  as  decorations.  Upon  the 
desk  is  a  lighted  lamp  with  china  shade 
(white).  The  window  shades  are  not  drawn. 

MICHALEK  tin  duck  service  jacket,  is  hastily 
dusting  the  desk.  No  cap]. 

SPIESS  [with  company  order  book  in  his  hand 
enters] :  Here,  you  thick-headed  Pollock,  is 
the  company  order  book  for  your  lieuten- 
ant! 

MICHALEK  [with  dignity]:  Iss  good!  Lay  'em 
down!  On  dable! 

SPIESS  [lays  book  on  desk.  In  passing  slaps 
Michalek  on  head  and  goes  to  smoking  stand; 
attempts  to  pilfer  a  cigarette]. 

MICHALEK  [pounces  on  him  like  a  hawk  and 
defends  his  master's  property] :  Iss  you  crazy, 
Spiess?  Kusch!  Kusch!  Has  Lieutenant 
count  him  every  one! 

SPIESS:  You  blockhead!  He  won't  miss  a 
couple ! 

MICHALEK:  No!  no!  Has  he  count  him  every 
one! 

SPIESS  [tries  to  take  the  cigarettes  by  force]: 
You  silly  fool!  Will  you  give  me  a  few? 

MICHALEK  [pretending  to  hear  some  one  com- 
ing]: Quick!  Comes  Lieutenant!  Kusch! 
Kusch! 

SPIESS  [frightened,  exits  quickly]. 

MICHALEK   [deliberately  goes  to  the  smoking 


36  TAPS  ACT  ii 

table  and  calmly  appropriates  several  pack- 
ages of  cigarettes,  hiding  them  in  his  blouse 
with  a  grin,  Lights  one.  Goes  to  dressing 
table,  smells  of  the  different  bottles,  pours 
some  of  the  contents  on  his  hand  and  puts  on 
his  head  ad  lib.  This  must  not  be  overdone. 
He  goes  back  to  divan  and  lies  down,  com- 
fortably blowing  clouds  of  smoke  in  the  air. 
His  face  is  turned  away  from  the  door]. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [in  the  meantime  has  opened 
the  door  and  permitted  von  Hoeven  to  step 
inside  the  room]. 

MICHALEK  [smoking  violently,  now  waves  back 
with  his  hand]:  Kusch!  Kusch!  Spiess! 
Comes  the  Lieutenant! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [carefully  tiptoes  up  to  him  and 
strikes  him  a  heavy  blow  with  his  crop]. 

MICHALEK  [jumps  up  terror  stricken  and  comes 
to  attention]. 
Iss  Lieutenant  here  already? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [quietly] :  The  assurance  of  this 
swine!  Not  only  lounging  on  my  divan, 
but  also  smoking  my  cigarettes!  [Calmly 
takes  the  still  smoking  cigarette  from  Micha- 
lek's  mouth  and  throws  it  on  the  floor.] 

MICHALEK:  Cigarette  fall  on  floor!  Michalek 
think  Lieutenant  no  smoke,  cigarette  fall 
on  dirty  floor.  Then  Michalek  smoke 
cigarette. 

VON    LAUFFEN:  You    pilfered    it,    you    pig. 


ACT  ii  TAPS  37 

That's  the  whole  story !  [Gives  him  another 
blow  with  crop  and  points  to  door.]  Kusch! 
Kusch!  Allez! 

MICHALEK  [glides  by  him,  picks  up  the  ciga- 
rette from  the  floor,  and  dodges  to  the  door]. 

VON  HOEVEN:  Halt,  pan  Michalek!  First  we 
will  have  the  soldier's  prayer!  Article  of 
War,  number  two! 

MICHALEK  [rattling  it  off] :  De  inviolable  pres- 
ervation of  de  oath  to  his  colors  iss  de 
first  duty  of  de  soldier — 

VON  HOEVEN  [after  trying  to  interrupt  him  sev- 
eral times]:  Enough,  enough!  That  will 
do  — 

MICHALEK  [undisturbed]:  Secondly  de  pro- 
fession of  de  soldier  — 

VON  HOEVEN  [raising  his  foot]:  Will  you  get 
out? 

MICHALEK  [exits  quickly]. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [from  .the  beginning  of  the  scene 
he  is  rather  unsteady,  but  gradually  regains 
his  self-composure] :  Now,  then !  What  was 
it  you  wanted,  Hoeven?  The  sheets,  Mass- 
muenster  and  Sulzbach!  From  one  to 
twenty-five  thousand!  Wasn't  it? 

VON  HOEVEN:  Yes!  My  orderly  will  return 
them  in  the  morning.  [Makes  himself  com- 
fortable in  the  wicker  chair.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [has  searched  in  his  drawer  and 
found  the  two  sheets.  Hands  them  to  Hoeven] : 


38  TAPS  ACT  ii 

There's  no  hurry  about  it!  There!  [Walks 
restlessly  about  the  room.]  The  old  man  got 
after  you  today  with  a  vengeance.  He  was 
in  a  fine  temper.  For  a  moment  I  saw  his 
loving  glances  rest  on  me!  I  said  to  my- 
self: Here  comes  my  turn,  when  — 
[laughs]. 

VON  HOEVEN:  Yes!  It's  a  dog's  life! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Lord  knows!  Twenty  hours 
for  duty  and  four  for  sleep  —  that  will  be 
about  the  order  of  the  day  for  the  next  two 
weeks.  [Reads  in  the  daybook  which  Spiess 
has  brought  in.]  Twenty-five  special  orders 
for  tomorrow!  The  devil!  Man  was 
surely  born  a  slave  to  duty!  [Throws  the 
book  on  the  floor.]  I  am  tired  —  tired, — 
tired  —  especially  of  this !  Upon  my  word ! 

VON  HOEVEN  :    It  is  to  laugh !  —  Ha-ha-ha-ha ! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Now  seriously  — 

VON  HOEVEN:    Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  It's  a  fact,  upon  - 

VON  HOEVEN:  Upon  your  word!  I  know!  But 
when  the  alarm  is  sounded  at  three  A.M. 
you  will  be  the  first  man  on  the  ramparts, 
and  woe  to  the  poor  devil  of  your  men  who 
is  not  at  his  post  and  as  lively  as  a  cricket! 
And  later,  should  one  of  our  red-trousered 
friends  bob  up  across  the  border  you  will 
straighten  up  defiantly  in  your  saddle  and 
everything  about  you  will  tremble  with  the 


ACT  ii  TAPS  39 

desire  for  the  fray !  As  if  you  would  throw 
yourself  upon  the  hated  foe!  To  the  at- 
tack! To  the  attack!  Forward!  Charge! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [carried  away]:  After  all,  that 
is  the  object  and  purpose  of  the  whole 
thing! 

VON  HOEVEN:  And  it  is  because  of  this  spirit 
that  I  like  you  and  have  grown  so  fond  of 


you 


VON  LAUFFEN:  Hoeven,  you  natter  me! 

VON  HOEVEN:  Not  at  all!  Ah,  bless  you,  my 
boy,  if  I  only  had  such  a  confoundedly 
comfortable  armchair  in  my  den  —  ! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [walking  about  again]:  But, 
Hoeven,  aren't  you  going  to  draw  your 
plans  tonight? 

VON  HOEVEN:  I  intend  to,  before  going  to  bed! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Well,  don't  you  think  it's 
time  to  begin? 

VON  HOEVEN:  It  wouldn't  be  the  first  time 
I've  drilled  all  night!  No,  sonny,  you  are 
not  going  to  get  rid  of  me  as  easily  as  all 
that! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  That  wasn't  my  object! 

VON  HOEVEN  [jestingly  making  a  deprecating 
gesture} :  Tut,  tut !  However,  I  will  promise 
to  arise  from  this  almost  criminally  com- 
fortable armchair  and  disappear  if  you 
will  frankly  confess  first  of  all  that  you 
expect  a  lady  — ! 


40  TAPS  ACT  ii 

VON  LAUFFEN  [quickly  —  embarrassed} :  Non- 
sense! Nothing  of  the  sort! 

VON  HOEVEN:  Aha!   I  thought  so! 

VON  LAUFFEN:    No!    Upon  my  word  — 

VON  HOEVEN:  Fortunately  you  still  belong 
to  that  category  of  young  men  who  blush 
when  caught  in  a  fib!  You  can  trust  me! 
Who  is  she? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Really,  Hoeven!  You're  on 
the  wrong  track !  Fact !  Upon  my  word ! 

VON  HOEVEN  [undisturbed] :  Is  it  Francoise 
Maillard,  the  beauty  from  Burgundy?  Or 
Mignon  Laporte,  who  insists  she  is  from 
Paris,  but  who  in  reality  is  from  Limburg 
and  the  forgetful  daughter  of  an  honest 
cheesemaker?  The  Gendarme  has  shown 
me  her  birth  certificate.  Or  is  it  the  Munich 
belle,  Blonde  Bertha  from  the  Lionbrew? 
In  that  case  I  have  some  time  to  stay,  for 
she  tends  bar  till  eleven! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [smilingly  shakes  his  head]: 
Don't  trouble  yourself,  Hoeven!  You 
are  entirely  and  absolutely  on  the  wrong 
track ! 

VON  HOEVEN:  No  I'm  not!  See  here!  When 
we  are  at  the  club,  either  at  billiards  or 
the  more  intellectual  Skat,  and  out  there 
the  first  note  of  Taps  is  sounded,  from  that 
moment  your  opponents  have  won!  If  I 
am  present,  I  confess  it  takes  a  positive 


ACT  ii  TAPS  41 

effort  on  my  part  to  play  as  carelessly  as 
yourself!  For  I  refuse  to  win  under  such 
conditions !  But  I  am  convinced  the  sound 
of  Taps  has  to  you  a  hidden  meaning  —  say 
what  you  like! 

VON  LATJFFEN  [with  a  nervous  laugh] :  Hoeven, 
you're  smoking  a  bad  brand! 

VON  HOEVEN:  Well,  it's  one  of  your  own! 
Look  here,  Lauffen!  Seriously!  I  want  to 
draw  your  attention  to  a  peril,  a  danger 
that's  threatening  you! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Concerning  the  service?  Per- 
haps a  warning  from  the  old  man? 

VON  HOEVEN:  On  the  contrary !  Nothing  but 
friendly  advice,  and  I  hope  you  will  con- 
sider it  so.  Look  here !  —  Hm  —  Hm ! 
You  are  living  here  door  to  door  with  one 
of  the  sweetest  girls  tramping  —  I  beg 
pardon,  I  meant  tripping  —  within  the 
range  of  our  military  domain !  I  mean  the 
daughter  of  our  honest  old  Sergeant 
Major  —  old  Volkhardt! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [leaning  in  dark  niche  of  the  win- 
dow, as  indifferent  as  possible] :  Well? — and? 

VON  HOEVEN:  Well?  —  and?  That  is  the  dan- 
ger threatening  you,  Lauffen!  I  have  seen 
or  heard  nothing  that  would  give  me  the 
slightest  reason  for  suspicion,  but  I  con- 
sider it  my  duty  as  your  comrade  to  warn 
you  before  it  is  too  late! 


42  TAPS  ACT  ii 

VON  LAUFFEN:  I  assure  you  you  have  no 
reason  for  your  fears !  None  at  all !  Fact, 
upon  my  word! 

VON  HOEVEN:  That  relieves  me,  I  assure 
you!  In  the  first  place  she  is  too  good  a 
girl  to  be  trifled  with,  and  then,  the  honor 
of  our  faithful  Sergeant  Major  must  not 
be  soiled !  —  Right? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [after  a  short  and  uncertain 
pause] :  Why  certainly  —  of  course ! 

VON  HOEVEN  [remains  silent  for  a  while]:  You 
see,  he  who  is  condemned  to  exile  in  this 
little  burg  either  takes  to  drink  or  he 
turns  philosopher!  Since  I  have  no  money 
for  wine,  I  have  taken  up  my  studious 
abode  in  the  cask  the  others  have  emptied. 
Among  other  subjects  I  have  been  occupy- 
ing myself  with  the  psychology  of  the 
Lieutenant  —  the  officer.  By  official  edict 
he  receives  the  esteem  and  respect  of  the 
world  in  general.  You  follow  me?  In 
return  he  obligates  himself  to  certain 
duties  and  responsibilities  which  probably 
are  of  little  meaning  to  the  civilian  in 
time  of  peace!  Unfortunately!  This  honor 
bestowed  upon  us  entails  the  obligation  to 
refrain  from  all  avoidable  offense!  Self- 
restraint  becomes  to  us  a  vital  necessity, 
particularly  as  regards  our  passions.  We 
must  observe  it  for  the  sake  of  our  pro- 


ACT  ii  TAPS  43 

fessional  honor,  to  avoid  giving  the  yellow 
journals  the  slightest  opportunity  for  ill- 
mannered  jests  and  ridiculous  prevarica- 
tions. 

VON  LATJFFEN  [forced]  i  Yes,  yes !  You  are  right ! 

VON  HOEVEN:  You  understand  me  perfectly, 
don't  you,  old  man? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Certainly!   Of  course! 

VON  HOEVEN:  Good!  That  is  what  I  wanted 
to  say  to  you ! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [after  a  pause]:  Thank  you, 
Hoeven !  [Hastily]  But  really  —  you  need 
have  no  fears  on  that  score. 

VON  HOEVEN:  Good!  Very  good!  I  surely 
am  glad  to  hear  it!  [Arises  lazily  from 
chair.  In  a  lighter  tone]  And  I  regret 
that  that  is  all  I  have  to  say  to  you.  [Sings] 
So  fare  thee  well,  beloved  chair  [yawns]. 
To  think  that  I  have  got  to  sit  up  the  rest 
of  the  night  —  !  [Shoves  the  two  sheets  with 
which  he  has  been  toying  up  to  now  into  the 
cuff  of  his  coat.}  I  almost  envy  you,  Lauffen ! 
[Goes  to  the  smoking  stand,  takes  a  cigarette, 
lights  it  on  the  lamp.]  There  is  one  thing 
in  which  we  are  all  alike!  We  pilfer  your 
cigarettes,  Michalek  as  well  as  Ernest  von 
Hoeven!  [At  the  door  —  singing]  "Sleep, 
my  baby,  sleep;  your  father  tends  the  —  -"! 
What  division  did  the  old  man  say  it  was? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  The  forty -first! 


44  TAPS  ACT  ii 

VON  HOEVEN:  Right!  So  it  was!  The  forty- 
first!  'Night,  Lauffen! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  'Night,  old  man! 

VON  HOEVEN  [from  without]:  'Night!    [Exits.] 

[At  this  moment  the  melancholy  sound  of  Taps 
is  heard  in  the  distance.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [has  remained  at  the  door  for  a 
moment.  Taps  sounded.  During  the  follow- 
ing scene  he  must  exhibit  a  great  internal 
struggle.  He  goes  back  to  the  desk  —  slowly 
divesting  himself  of  his  coat  and  hanging  it 
in  wardrobe  on  a  hanger.  He  puts  on  his 
itewka.  All  is  done  hesitatingly  and  spas- 
modically. At  last  he  picks  up  a  green  lamp- 
shade from  desk,  contemplating  it  long  and 
intently.  Finally,  overcoming  his  reluc- 
tance, he  resolutely  places  same  on  the  lamp. 
Then  quickly  goes  to  the  door  and  calls]: 
Michalek ! 

MICHALEK  [from  without]:  Service,  pan  Lieu- 
tenant !  [Appears  center  with  riding  boots  and 
blacking  brush.] 

VON  LAUFFEN:  You  can  go  to  bed  now, 
Michalek.  But  close  your  door,  you  lout! 
The  whole  corridor  smells  of  shoe  polish! 

MICHALEK:  Service,  Lieutenant!    [Exit.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [closes  the  door  and  draws  the 
shades.  Returns  to  center  of  room,  waiting 
nervously.  Then  goes  to  door  again,  opens 
same,  and  listens]. 


ACT  ii  TAPS  45 

CLARA  [a  knitted  black  shawl  around  her 
shoulders,  flies  into  his  arms]. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Clara!  [A  very  subdued  excla- 
mation. They  embrace  and  kiss  each  other 
repeatedly.  He  then  leads  her  to  the  chair  at 
the  desk,  goes  back  to  door  and  locks  it.] 

CLARA  [sits  down,  catching  her  breath,  lays  off 
her  shawl,  looks  around,  rises  and  picks  up 
the  book  from  the  floor] :  Michalek  is  a  sloven. 
The  Captain's  order  book  on  the  floor! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [has  gone  to  her]:  Don't  blame 
it  on  Michalek.  I  threw  it  there  myself. 

CLARA:  But  why? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Why?  Just  cast  your  lovely 
eyes  on  this.  [Opens  book  for  her  inspec- 
tion.] It's  maddening! 

CLARA  [teasing]:   What  is? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [with  pretended  pouting]:  The 
inhuman  amount  of  work  a  fellow  is  ex- 
pected to  do  here.  It's  positively  brutal. 

CLARA  [reading] :  At  seven  A.M.  continuation 
of  target  practice !  [Shakes  her  head]  Dear, 
dear!  It  is  hard,  you  poor  abused  boy.  A 
stone-breaker  has  it  easier  than  you,  poor 
dear.  He  isn't  pulled  out  of  bed  at  two  in 
the  morning!  He  can  have  his  sleep  out! 
[Lays  down  book  and  picks  up  shawl  —  in 
jest.]  You  must  go  right  to  bed,  and  I 
won't  keep  you  up  any  longer. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [as  she  would  go  to  the  door  he 


46  TAPS  ACT  ii 

holds  her] :  No  you  don't!  [He  looks  at  her, 
then  both  begin  to  laugh.]  You  little  rascal! 
[They  kiss.] 

CLARA  [in  his  arms]:   Darling! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [up  and  down  several  times, 
silently  looking  at  her] :  Do  you  know,  Clara, 
that  for  quite  some  time  I  couldn't  bring 
myself  to  give  the  signal  tonight?  [Toys 
with  shade.] 

CLARA  [regards  him  with  silent,  questioning 
glance.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [hesitatingly] :  You  see  —  a 
little  while  ago  —  just  as  I  was  about  to 
place  the  shade  on  the  lamp — it  occurred  to 
me  —  You  surely  know  how  happy  I  am, 
even  at  the  sight  of  you  —  but  —  it  sud- 
denly occurred  to  me  that  we  were  doing 
your  father  a  grievous  wrong  — 

CLARA  [hasn't  taken  her  eyes  from  him]. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Yes  —  a  serious  and  cruel 
wrong!  Fact,  upon  my  word;  for  it  is 
hardly  probable  that  he  would  counte- 
nance these  —  our  little  secrets  I  mean  — 
and  —  so  it  occurred  to  me  it  was  about 
time  to  give  the  future  a  little  thought. 
We  can't  go  on  forever  like  this,  and  — 

CLARA  [cuts  him  short  with  a  calm  but  decided 
gesture.  After  a  short  pause]:  And  did  it 
occur  to  you  today  for  the  first  time? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Well,   dear  —  no!      Not  ex- 


ACT  ii  TAPS  47 

actly!  I  have  thought  of  it  a  good  many 
times  before  perhaps,  but  you  know  I  am 
not  given  to  fretting  or  worry,  so  I  did  my 
best  to  forget  it  as  quickly  as  possible. 
But  a  little  while  ago  I  simply  couldn't 
shake  it  off. 

CLARA  [calmly  and  determined]:  On  the  con- 
trary I  have  busied  myself  with  that  sub- 
ject so  often  that  I  have  come  to  an  under- 
standing with  myself  long  ago.  [She  seats 
herself  in  the  reed  chair  during  Lauffen's 
speech,  now  rests  her  hands  on  her  knees 
and  speaks  partly  to  herself.]  I  had  to  do  it 
from  the  very  beginning.  Lord  knows 
there  was  a  time  when  my  sole  desire  con- 
sisted in  pleasing  my  father  and  that  alone, 
until  —  you  came  here.  I  fought  and 
struggled  against  my  love  for  you,  but  all 
in  vain.  Slowly  and  gradually  it  overcame 
me,  until  every  fiber  within  me  seemed  to 
thrill  with  longing  and  desire  for  you  — 
and  all  thoughts  of  evil  or  wrong  were 
stifled  in  my  conscience.  From  that  mo- 
ment I  considered  my  love  for  you  as  my 
right  —  my  legitimate  right,  through  which 
alone  I  would  find  my  happiness  —  in 
spite  of  all  the  world.  Then  it  was  — 
when  I  came  to  you  —  [she  has  risen  and 
has  gone  to  him]. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [embracing  her]:  Darling! 


48  TAPS  ACT  ii 

CLARA:  Yes,  dear!  I  knew  what  I  was  doing, 
clearly  and  distinctly,  and  if  I  had  not 
been  willing,  you  would  still  be  asking  for 
your  first  kiss.  But  I  felt  that  with  you  I 
would  find  happiness;  perhaps  the  only 
happiness  allotted  to  me  in  this  world,  and 
no  matter  what  the  consequences,  I 
stretched  out  my  hand  and  seized  — 

VON  LAUFFEN  :  Clara  —  !  You  —  !  I  never 
considered  you  capable  of  such —  !  It  is 
grand  —  I  might  almost  say  noble!  No, 
girl !  I  never  would  have  believed  it  of  you. 

CLARA:  How  improvident  you  are!  You,  too, 
surely  have  some  thoughts  of  the  future! 

VON  LAUFFEN  :  No,  Clara  dear.  I  am  a  fatal- 
ist. In  spite  of  all  we  do  we  drift  and  drift, 
relentlessly  driven  by  our  fate. 

CLARA:  If  I  had  only  resisted  you —  !  But 
I  presume  you  are  right.  We  are  blindly 
driven  by  fate. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [something  in  her  voice  startles 
him]:  You  mean? 

CLARA:  Well  —  Otto!    You  know! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [shakes  his  head]. 

CLARA:  Sergeant  Helbig,  who  returned  to- 
day from  the  riding  academy,  my  foster 
brother.  I  was  promised  to  him  in  a  way  — ! 
Not  openly,  and  yet  it  was  considered  all 
settled.  He  has  returned  fully  expecting 
to  marry  me  — 


ACT  ii  TAPS  49 

VON  LAUFFEN:  You  —  marry  a  fellow  like 
that?  Are  you  mad?  I  can't  understand 
how  you  permitted  things  to  come  to  that 
point.  Upon  my  word.  [Excitedly,  up  and 
down.]  I  dare  say  the  lout  presumed  to 
take  advantage  of  the  fact  — 

CLARA:  You  seem  to  forget  that  I  have 
something  to  say  to  that. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Fortunate  for  him.  I  would 
have  made  him  pay  for  it. 

CLARA:  You  would  do  nothing  of  the  sort. 
But  we  must  be  careful  of  him.  For  — 
well!  You  can  imagine  how  he  feels 
toward  me  now.  And  then  you,  too,  have 
aroused  his  suspicions! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [defiantly]:  You  don't  tell  me? 
Perhaps  he  thinks  I  ought  to  fear  him 
now  —  !  [Suddenly]  The  devil !  If  he 
should  intimate  anything  to  your  father  — 

CLARA:  No,  no!  He  promised  to  leave  father 
out  of  it  and  Otto  always  keeps  his  word. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [doubtingly] :  Well  I  am  not  so  — 

CLARA:  Yes  he  will  —  even  if  he  is  only  a 
non-commissioned  officer.  And  now  you 
must  promise  me  to  avoid  the  slightest 
chance  of  a  rupture  — 

VON  LAUFFEN:  I'll  do  nothing  of  the  sort. 
Put  myself  under  obligation  to  a  bumpkin 
like  him !  I  might  as  well  eliminate  myself 
entirely. 


50  TAPS  ACT  ii 

CLARA:  Don't  misunderstand  me.  I  only 
meant  for  you  to  be  on  your  guard.  I 
don't  know  —  I  always  feel  as  if  he  were 
behind  me  —  watching  and  spying  on  me 
[shyly  glances  at  the  door]. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [unconsciously  affected,  does 
the  same]:  You  seem  to  be  in  a  bad  mood 
to-night,  dear.  You  see  specters  —  really, 
upon  my  word. 

CLARA  [startled] :  Listen !  —  Wasn't  that 
some  one  at  the  door? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [tiptoes  to  door  and  listens]: 
Nonsense!  'Twas  only  the  guard  relief! 

CLARA:  Yes!    I  suppose  so! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [has  seated  himself  on  divan  and 
drawn  Clara,  who  stood  in  front  of  him,  on 
his  knees]:  Do  you  see?  Now  come!  Be 
sensible ! 

CLARA  [embraces  and  kisses  him]:  Yes,  dear- 
est! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Come!  Cheer  up!  [Softly] 
Who  knows  how  soon  this  all  has  got  to 
come  to  an  end?  What's  the  matter,  girl? 
Don't  be  in  the  dumps! 

CLARA  [jumps  up] :  You're  right !  What's  the 
use  anyway?  It  can't  help  matters.  You 
see,  Kurt,  when  I  know  you  are  here  wait- 
ing for  me  the  time  passes  so  slowly  that 
I  am  often  tempted  to  turn  the  hands  of 
our  cuckoo  clock  ahead.  And  when  at  last 


ACT  ii  TAPS  51 

the  trumpeter  has  sounded  Taps,  life  really 
seems  to  begin.  All  the  worries  and  annoy- 
ances of  the  day  are  at  an  end.  I  look  ahead 
to  joy  and  happiness  —  only  to  joy  and 
happiness.  Then  everything  within  me 
drives  me  to  you,  and  I  must  obey!  Even 
if  my  father  were  to  step  in  my  way  and 
say :  "  Girl,  it  means  my  life  "  —  I  would  - 
I  could  not  hesitate.  [She  has  sunk  on  her 
knees  before  him.  He  remains  seated.] 
Kurt!  !  ! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [a  long  kiss]:  Clara!  —  You 
love  me  so  much  —  so  dearly? 

CLARA  [nods  —  with  tears  in  her  eyes] :  I  would 
do  anything  for  your  sake!  Everything  in 
the  world  I  would  give  up  for  you  —  that 
you  shall  not  suffer  —  not  suffer! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [shudders] :  And  why  do  you 
love  me  so,  Clara? 

CLARA  [rises  and  passes  her  hand  across  her 
brow]:  I  don't  know!  I  love  you  because 
in  you  I  see  all  that  is  grand  and  beautiful 
in  life  to  me.  You  see  —  as  long  as  I  can 
remember  we  have  lived  here  about  three 
hours'  march  from  the  French  line.  Our 
regiment  will  be  the  first  to  go  if  it  ever 
comes  to  war.  Now  everything  seems 
calm  and  peaceful  around  here,  but  wait 
and  see  how  quickly  things  change  when 
the  time  comes.  Then  you'd  rather  be  here 


52  TAPS  ACT  ii 

than  anywhere  else.  Then  there  seems  to 
be  something  in  the  air  as  it  —  as  if  we 
were  standing  on  a  powder  mine  and  the 
match  already  lighted  to  set  it  off.  And 
the  natives  hereabouts  have  changed  all  of 
a  sudden.  You'll  hear  no  longer  "  Made- 
moiselle Clara,  Plait-il?  En  demi  tasse?" 
Their  smiles  have  turned  to  furtive  glances, 
as  if  they  really  pitied  us  already!  And 
here  in  the  fort  there  is  a  scurry  and  a 
bustle!  I  remember  one  time,  when  the 
saddles  hung  ready  in  the  stables  for  a 
whole  week  —  for  a  campaign  —  yes,  yes, 
for  real  war.  During  the  night  the  squad 
commanders  received  the  ammunition  for 
their  men  and  up  there  [points]  the  dyna- 
mite was  piled  up  in  heaps  —  all  ready 
and  waiting,  until  word  came  that  the 
danger  was  averted.  Ah,  Kurt,  that  was  a 
life  —  that  was  excitement  — 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Yes,  dear,  and  the  next  time 
it  will  be  the  same  thing  all  over  again. 
At  the  last  alarm  we  were  ready  for  the 
field  in  twenty-seven  minutes. 

CLARA  [whispering]:  And  you  have  com- 
mand of  the  patrol  that  is  to  blow  up  the 
railroad  viaduct  over  yonder  at  Bas  La 
Chapelle. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  How  did  you  learn  that, 
Clara?  That  is  supposed  to  be  strictly 


ACT  ii  TAPS  53 

secret !  No  one  can  know  —  no  one  must 
know  or  even  suspect  that  we  can  reach  the 
place,  or  that  the  Red  Mountain  gorge  is 
passable  to  a  cavalry  patrol. 

CLARA:  You  see  when  I  read  your  name  in 
the  mobilization  lists  I  was  determined  to 
learn  your  assignment,  so  I  wormed  it  out 
of  father.  Oh,  I'll  not  betray  you. 

VONLAUFFEN:  You're  a  darling  girl.  But  you 
can't  imagine  how  proud  I  was  when  the 
Colonel  selected  me  for  that  task.  Me  — 
almost  the  youngest  lieutenant  in  the  regi- 
ment. If  I  succeed  in  turning  the  trick  — 
they  are  done  for  over  there.  We  figure 
at  least  a  day  and  a  half  for  repairs  and 
that's  an  eternity  when  it's  a  question  of 
minutes.  —  And  I  will  carry  it  out  —  or  — 
[whistles  softly]. 

CLARA:  Whether  or  no  —  it  is  all  the  same! 
For  from  that  ride  you  will  never  return 
alive.  [Has  seated  herself  on  the  divan.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [thoughtfully] :  They  will  never 
permit  me  to  escape,  you  mean?  [Jollier] 
And  can  you  imagine  a  nobler  death  than 
that?  To  die  for  your  country?  [Up  and 
down  several  times,  meditating  —  suddenly 
stops  in  front  of  her  and  looks  her  in  the 
eyes  —  pause  —  kneels.]  And  have  I  not 
already  been  the  happiest  man  on  earth? 
Yes,  Clara,  I  wish  — I  long  for  such  a  death ! 


54  TAPS  ACT  ii 

CLARA,  [bends  over  him  and  kisses  him  fer- 
vently]: Kurt! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Would  it  not  be  best? 

CLARA:  Yes,  'twould  be  a  beautiful  death! 
[Whispers]  And  I  would  know  my  way 
then  —  the  way  I  would  have  to  —  fol- 
low —  !  [Long  and  fervent  embrace.] 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Clara,  how  beautiful  you  are! 

CLARA:  Darling  boy. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  And  do  you  love  me,  dear? 
[So/%]  Do  you? 
[A  timid  knock  at  the  door.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [startled]. 

CLARA  [sits  motionless]. 

[There's  a  knock  at  the  door,  a  trifle  louder 
than  the  first.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [has  risen  and  leads  Clara  noise- 
lessly to  bedroom  door,  the  while  motioning 
with  forefinger  to  his  lips  to  be  silent.  After 
Clara  has  disappeared  in  the  bedroom  he 
calls]:  Well!  —  What  is  it? 
[There's  no  answer,  but  the  knock  is  repeated.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [goes  resolutely  to  the  door  and 
opens  same.  Helbig  is  seen  in  corridor 
without  —  ]:  Helbig!  What  do  you  want 
at  this  late  hour? 

HELBIG:  Your  pardon,  Lieutenant!  May  I 
ask  you  for  a  few  moments'  conversation? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  But  this  is  no  time  nor  place! 
Tomorrow,  Helbig! 


ACT  ii  TAPS  55 

HELBIG:  I  humbly  ask  you,  sir,  only  a  few 

moments ! 
VON   LAUFFEN  [after  a  moment's  hesitation]: 

Very  well !   Come  in ! 
HELBIG  [enters  and  comes  to  attention]. 
VON  LAUFFEN  [bruskly,  but  not  roughly] :  Now 

what  do  you  want?  But  be  quick  about  it! 
HELBIG  [seems  excited  —  and  apparently  has 

been  drinking]:  Your  pardon,   Lieutenant 
j j 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Well?  —  What  in  thunder, 
man!  Why  don't  you  speak? 

HELBIG:  I  —  I  was  formerly  engaged  to 
the  daughter  of  the  Sergeant-Major  Volk- 
hardt  —  to  Miss  Clara  —  and  —  and  — 

VON  LAUFFEN  [by  this  time  has  entirely  recov- 
ered his  composure]:  Well,  that  is  all  very 
nice,  Helbig,  but  was  it  really  necessary  to 
apprise  me  of  that  fact  at  this  time  of 
night?  Man,  have  you  lost  your  senses 
entirely? 

HELBIG  [roughly]:  No,  sir!  Your  pardon, 
Lieutenant,  that's  not  all!  Today  I  re- 
turned from  the  riding  academy  - 

VON  LAUFFEN  [impatiently]:  Well?     Well? 

HELBIG:  And  I  —  I  found  my  prospective 
bride  entirely  changed. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Sergeant  Helbig!  Man!  I 
cannot  understand  what  in  the  world  I 
have  to  do  with  all  this !  Now  try  and  be  a 


56  TAPS  ACT  ii 

sensible  fellow  and  go  back  to  your  rooms. 
You  don't  seem  to  know  yourself  what  you 
want! 

HELBIG:  You  will  pardon  me,  Lieutenant  —  I 
—  I  humbly  ask  you,  sir  —  to  forget  for 
once  our  difference  in  rank.  If  I  may 
say  so,  we  are  also  human !  I  have  come  to 
you  man  to  man  and  I  pray  you  humbly  — 
please  do  not  bring  disgrace  on  Clara  — 

VON  LAUFFEN  [almost  yelling] :  Helbig !  — 
Have  you  gone  stark  mad? 

HELBIG:  No,  Lieutenant  von  Lauffen!  I  ask 
you  to  kindly  remember  that  it  can  only 
end  in  misfortune.  And  not  for  Clara 
alone.  You  surely  must  consider  her  father. 
The  old  Sergeant  Major  has  honorably 
served  his  country  for  thirty-three  years 
and  I  assure  you  it  would  kill  him  if  Clara 
should  — 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Helbig!  Now  I  command  you 
to  hold  your  tongue  and  leave  this  room. 

HELBIG:  But,  Lieutenant,  I  ask  nothing 
wrong.  I  implore  you  —  humbly  implore 
you,  Lieutenant  —  and  I  am  asking  noth- 
ing for  myself.  Only  for  Clara,  sir  —  Clara 
and  her  old  father! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [points  to  the  door]:  You  heard 
what  I  said!  Leave  this  room  at  once! 

HELBIG  [stubbornly] :  No!  I  won't! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  What? 


ACT  ii  TAPS  57 

HELBIG  [immediately  changes  back  to  humble 
demeanor]:  Yes,  yes,  I'll  go  at  once,  sir! 
But  first  I  must  have  the  assurance  from 
your  own  lips  that  you  have  no  affair  with 
Clara.  I  humbly  ask  you,  sir,  on  your 
word  of  honor  — 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Fellow,  are  you  drunk?  Get 
out! 

HELBIG  [starts  angrily  —  but  controls  himself 
once  more]:  I  crave  your  pardon,  sir!  I  ask 
but  little  —  very  little !  Only  one  word ! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Sergeant  Helbig,  for  the  last 
time  I  command  you  to  leave  this  room. 

HELBIG  [straightens  up  with  a  jerk]:  Now  I 
understand.  I  catch  the  drift  of  your  argu- 
ment. Clara  is  here! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [unconsciously  turns  and  glances 
at  the  bedroom  door]. 

HELBIG:  She's  not  in  her  own  rooms,  that  I 
know,  Lieutenant  von  Lauffen.  There- 
fore she  must  be  here!  [Points  to  the  bed- 
room door.]  In  there !  [Starts  in  that  direc- 
tion.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [seizes  his  saber,  hanging  on 
back  of  chair  and  gets  in  his  way] :  Not  an- 
other step,  fellow,  or  — 
[As  Helbig  insists  on  advancing  toward  the 
bedroom  von  Lauffen  draws  his  saber  and 
strikes  Helbig  over  the  head.  Helbig  has 
thrown  up  his  hand  to  guard  himself  — 


58  TAPS  ACT  ii 

staggers  back.  Then  with  a  cry  of  rage  he 
rushes  at  von  Lauffen,  shoves  him  aside,  and 
throws  open  the  bedroom  door.] 

HELBJG  [after  one  glance  into  the  bedroom, 
laughs  out  discordantly]:  Ha-ha-ha-ha- 
ha-ha!  [He  slowly  falls  back  dazed,  holding 
his  hand  to  his  forehead.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [rushes  past  him  to  center  door 
and  calls  hoarsely]:  Michalek!  ! 

MICHALEK  [from  without,  invisible]:  Service, 
pan  Lieutenant! 

VON  LAUFFEN  i  Call  the  corporal  of  the  guard . 

MICHALEK  [invisible]:  Service,  Lieutenant! 
[Gradually  retreating  in  the  distance]  Cor- 
poral of  the  guard!  Corporal  of  the 
guard!  . . . 

QUEISS  [after  a  short  time  appears  in  door.  He 
wears  the  bandolier  of  corporal  in  service 
and  reports]:  Corporal  of  the  guard,  sir! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Is  that  you,  Queiss? 

QUEISS:  Service,  sir!    As  substitute  f  or  - 

VON  LAUFFEN  [interrupts  him]:  'Tis  well!  I 
want  you  to  place  Sergeant  Helbig  under 
arrest! 

QUEISS  [throws  a  glance  of  startled  surprise  at 
Helbig  and  hesitates  amoment  unconsciously]. 

VON  LAUFFEN  :  For  having  violently  attacked 
me,  his  superior  officer. 

QUEISS:  Service,  sir!  [Goes  to  Helbig  and 
takes  him  by  the  arm .]  Come! 


ACT  ii  TAPS  59 

[Helbig  follows  him  without  a  show  of  resist- 
ance, only  when  he  reaches  the  door  he  casts 
one  last  glance  at  the  bedroom  door.] 
QUEISS  [stops  surprised  and  follows  his  glance. 
Then  comes  to  attention  and  follows  Helbig 

off}* 

VON  LAUFFEN  [remains  standing  at  the  door 
with  drawn  saber,  and  as  he  slowly  lowers 
the  weapon  the  curtain  falls]. 

[END  OF  ACT  SECOND] 


ACT  III 

Scene:  A  large  room  temporarily  arranged  for 
the  court  martial.  The  walls  have  a  gray 
tint.  In  the  back  a  center  door,  with  the  usual 
inventory  list  hanging  on  same.  On  the  right, 
two  windows  with  roller  shades,  striped. 
Right  and  left  of  center  door  and  on  left  side 
of  stage  a  row  of  lockers,  with  stocklocks  and 
small  shields,  on  which  are  the  names  of  the 
individual  men.  Shields  made  of  papier 
mache.  In  the  left  corner  is  an  iron  stove,  in 
front  of  which  is  a  cuspidor.  In  front  of  the 
windows  a  long  table,  with  a  plain  green 
cloth  cover.  A  number  of  plain  wooden 
chairs.  In  front,  with  his  back  to  the  audi- 
ence, is  seated  the  Recording  Sergeant;  then 
in  rotation  running  up  stage  are  seated 
Count  von  Lehdenburg,  Major  Paschke, 
First  Councillor,  First  Lieut.  Hagemeister. 
At  right  angle  and  adjoining  this  table  is  an- 
other at  which  are  seated,  starting  from  the 
corner  and  facing  the  audience,  Second  and 
Third  Councillors.  At  the  end,  next  to  door,  is 
the  surgeon.  The  defendant  sits  at  a  small 
table  almost  center  to  the  left  of  it,  facing  the 

60 


ACT  in  TAPS  61 

audience.  To  the  right  of  same  table,  Lieut, 
von  Hoeven,  defending  Helbig.  The  latter 
is  seated  on  a  stool.  On  the  other  side  of  stage 
are  two  chairs  for  witnesses  which  are  un- 
occupied at  the  opening  of  the  act.  All  the 
military  are  in  full  dress  regalia,  the  officers 
without  field  ties  or  bandoliers.  The  helmets 
are  on  tables.  The  defendant  appears  in 
service  uniform,  without  saber.  During  the 
action  the  court  martial  orderly  —  infantry 
sergeant  —  keeps  his  position  —  standing  — 
at  the  door.  It  is  bright  sunshine  without, 
about  the  middle  of  the  day.  The  proceedings 
are  at  a  standstill.  The  recorder  is  writing  and 
looking  over  his  papers  busily.  Beside  him 
the  only  other  one  seated  is  the  Second  Coun- 
cillor, who  is  lazily  rocking  himself  in  his 
chair.  The  prosecutor  is  standing  in  his  place 
and  looking  through  his  papers  in  front  of 
him.  Paschke,  Hagemeister  and  the  First 
Councillor  form  a  group  at  the  front  win- 
dow, watching  Count  von  Lehdenburg. 
PASCHKE  [to  the  recorder]:  Sergeant!  Would 
you  kindly  go  and  once  more  inquire  into 
the  condition  of  the  defendant?  The  pro- 
ceedings must  come  to  an  end  sometime! 
RECORDER:  At  your  service,  Major!  [Exits.] 
LEHDENBURG  [spraying  the  walls  on  opposite 
side  of  stage  with  an  atomizer  containing 
lavender  water,  all  the  while  keeping  up  a 


62  TAPS  ACT  in 

rapid  conversation] :  With  your  permission, 
Major,  there  is  certainly  a  marked  differ- 
ence in  the  odor  of  the  soldier  in  the  open 
field  from  that  in  the  enclosed  barracks. 
My  cuirassiers,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  I 
always  ride  to  windward  —  they  possess 
an  odor  —  it  is  the  odor  of  the  horse- 
man !  But  the  soldier  in  his  quarters  smells, 
so  to  say,  to  heaven.  Fact!  Always! 

HAGEMEISTER:  But  worse  than  all  is  this 
dreadful  moisture.  The  walls  are  simply 
dripping. 

PASCHKE:  Not  to  mention  all  this  filth. 

LEHDENBURG:  Quite  correct!  A  horrible 
mixture  of  sudor  Humanus  and  soft  soap. 
Men  with  weaker  nerves  under  these  con- 
ditions would  have  broken  down  without 
a  doubt.  [Places  the  atomizer  on  the  window 
shelf.]  I  consider  it  no  less  than  scanda- 
lous to  refuse  us  quarters  reasonably  fit 
for  a  human  being.  [Turns  to  First  Coun- 
cillor.] And  the  appropriations  for  new 
headquarters  have  again  been  denied?  It 
is  unbelievable! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  It  has  been  promised  for 
the  coming  year.  For  the  present  the 
Reichstag  has  seen  fit  to  strike  it  out. 

LEHDENBURG:  Ah,  yes!  The  Reichstag! 
Remarkable  chaps,  upon  my  word !  Should 
be  compelled  to  sit  here  and  dispense  jus- 


ACT  in  TAPS  63 

tice!  Of  course!  For  themselves  they  had 
erected  a  magnificent  palace!  We  must 
suffer.  However,  the  food  up  there  is 
abominable!  Major,  have  you  ever  lunched 
in  the  Reichstag  buffet? 

MAJOR  [short]:  No! 

LEHDENBURG:  Interesting,  I  assure  you!  At 
the  adjoining  table  sat  Bebel,  the  socialist. 
Drinking  a  small  pilsener,  eating  a  ham 
sandwich  with  knife  and  fork,  like  any 
other  well-bred  citizen.  Very  interesting, 
indeed.  But  as  I  said  before,  the  food  is 
abominable. 

PASCHKE  [coldly  turns  away]:  Is  that  so?  [and 
goes  to  window  together  with  First  Council- 
lor]. 

LEHDENBURG  [aside  to  Hagemeister]:  Rather 
uncommunicative  individual,  this  Mister 
Paschke !  Have  struggled  to  entertain  him, 
but  apparently  in  vain. 

HAGEMEISTER  [shrugs  his  shoulders]. 

LEHDENBURG:  Oh,  I  understand.  Heavy 
artillery!  To  secure  a  hit  with  such  gigan- 
tic ordinance  is  no  easy  matter,  I  dare  say. 
And  the  caliber  is  bound  to  have  its  psycho- 
logical effect  on  the  men !  The  law  of  cause 
and  effect!  As  per  example:  Mister 
Paschke!  However,  I  frankly  confess  I 
have  no  burning  desire  to  pose  here  as  a 
dispenser  of  divine  justice.  Do  you  know 


64  TAPS  ACT  in 

that  I  have  missed  a  splendid  fox  hunt  on 
account  of  it?  You  can  imagine  my  disap- 
pointment! 

HAGEMEISTER:  Oh!  Speaking  of  the  hunt,  is 
your  English  mare,  Miss  Page,  in  condi- 
tion again? 

LEHDENBURG:  Yes!  In  splendid  condition! 
But  tell  me,  my  dear  Lieutenant,  how  did 
you  know  I  was  the  proprietor  of  a  Miss 
Page? 

HAGEMEISTER:  I  was  fortunate  enough  to 
have  seen  you  pictured  astride  of  her  in 
Die  Woche. 

LEHDENBURG  [laughing] :  My  dear  sir!  You 
saw  the  picture  of  Miss  Page  no  doubt, 
but  do  you  know  who  was  astride  her? 

HAGEMEISTER:  Well  —  you  yourself,  of 
course! 

LEHDENBURG:  Cuirassier  Karl  Abromeit  of 
Naujenningken,  my  worthy  orderly.  [Takes 
Hagemeister  confidentially  by  the  arm] 
You  see,  my  dear  Hagemeister,  Die 
Woche  is,  I  might  say,  a  fairly  respect- 
able publication;  in  fact,  his  majesty's 
portrait  appears  frequently  in  its  pages. 
But  imagine  this  situation :  Some  one  — 
let  us  say  Mina  Meyer  if  you  like  —  be- 
holds my  picture,  and  she  says:  "  Elsa, 
dear,  I  had  pictured  Count  von  Lehden- 
burg  to  myself  an  entirely  different  looking 


ACT  in  TAPS  65 

individual  "!  Would  be  painfully  distress- 
ing for  me,  would  it  not?  But  as  it  stands 
now,  such  an  occurrence  is  quite  impossible! 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON  [a  young  man  —  a  one- 
year  volunteer  —  enters  now,  together  with 
recorder]:  I  beg  to  report  that  the  condi- 
tion of  Sergeant  Helbig  will  permit  the 
continuation  of  the  proceedings. 

PASCHKE:  Thank  you,  doctor!  But  what 
was  the  matter  with  him? 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON  :  A  fainting  spell  brought 
about  by  a  weakened  condition  and  per- 
haps the  excitement  of  the  cross  examina- 
tion. Then  the  guard  house  inspector  re- 
ports that  the  defendant  has  persistently 
refused  to  take  nourishment  since  his  arrest. 

PASCHKE:  Indeed?    And  —  how  is  he  now? 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON:  He  has  had  a  cup  of 
beef  broth  and  a  sip  of  wine.  Quite  suffi- 
cient for  the  present,  I  think. 

PASCHKE:  Then  you  think  we  may  safely 
proceed? 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON:  I  think  so,  Major! 

PASCHKE  [looking  at  his  watch] :  Well  —  let 
us  grant  the  poor  devil  a  few  minutes  more. 
Thank  you,  doctor. 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON  [exits  with  a  bow]. 

PASCHKE:  Queer  fellow,  this  Helbig.  Re- 
fused to  take  nourishment!  At  the  same 
time  whole  case  seems  clear  enough! 


66  TAPS  ACT  m 

LEHDENBURG:  It  is,  Major  —  it  is!  Can't 
understand  the  reasons  for  all  this  for- 
mality —  this  voluminous  amount  of  hear- 
say testimony.  Unnecessarily  increases 
the  costs  of  the  case.  And  the  result? 
The  anti-government  and  radical  press 
will  again  be  raging  about  the  ever-increas- 
ing military  burdens.  Worst  of  it  is,  we 
can't  blame  them.  And  what  will  be  the 
result?  Who  will  be  the  sufferers?  We,  of 
course.  Through  lack  of  funds  the  Reich- 
stag will  compel  us  to  abide  in  such  mis- 
erable hovels  as  these  for  another  year! 

MAJOR  [part  anger,  part  jest]:  By  that  time 
you  will  no  longer  be  councillor  of  the 
court  martial,  Captain! 

LEHDENBURG:  Your  pardon,  Major,  I  am 
speaking  entirely  out  of  consideration  for 
my  fellow  officers.  [Blows  his  nose.]  Devil 
take  it!  It  is  surely  no  pleasure  to  sit  in 
this  barn  of  a  place  as  a  representative  of 
divine  justice.  The  last  time  —  you 
remember,  Major!  The  case  of  the  assist- 
ant paymaster  and  the  mad  little  bar- 
maid? That  at  least  was  interesting!  But 
today  —  ? 

SECOND  COUNCILLOR  [from  the  table]:  'Tis 
not  yet  evening,  Count ! 

LEHDENBURG:  Bless  my  soul  —  Really!  The 
esteemed  Councillor  has  re-discovered  his 


ACT  in  TAPS  67 

speech!    [Goes  to  him  and  taps  him  on  the 
stomach.] 

PASCHKE  [cuts  the  conversation  impatiently]: 
I  think  we  had  better  proceed!  [Gives  a 
sign  to  recorder.] 

RECORDER  [goes  to  the  door  and  calls  out] :  The 
proceedings   will    be   continued.     [Returns 
to  his  place.] 
[Enter  Helbig,  von  Hoeven,  and  orderly.} 

PASCHKE:  Well,  Sergeant  Helbig,  do  you 
feel  strong  enough  to  proceed  with  your 
case? 

HELBIG:  At  your  service,  Major. 

MAJOR  :  I'm  glad  to  hear  it !  -  But  —  or- 
derly !  Kindly  place  a  glass  of  water  at  the 
disposal  of  the  defendant. 

ORDERLY  :  There's  no  glass  for  the  defendant, 
Major. 

PASCHKE:  Then  take  one  of  these  [points  to 
glasses  on  the  judges'  table]. 

ORDERLY:  Those  are  for  the  honorable  judges, 
Major. 

PASCHKE:  Good  heavens!  What's  the  dif- 
ference? 

ORDERLY:  Your  pardon,  Major!  My  instruc- 
tions read:  On  the  Councillors'  table  a 
decanter  with  water  and  five  glasses  - 

LEHDENBURG  [enraged]:  You're  a  —  [ironi- 
cally polite] :  de-cidedly  diligent  and  pains- 
taking official! 


68  TAPS  ACT  in 

MAJOR  [sternly] :  Orderly !  I  command  you  to 
place  a  glass  of  water  at  the  disposal  of 
the  defendant. 

ORDERLY:  At  your  service,  Major.  [Does 
so.] 

PASCHKE  [after  all  have  taken  their  places]: 
We  will  now  proceed  with  the  case.  [To 
the  First  Councillor]:  Councillor,  if  you 
please ! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [after  audibly  clearing  his 
throat]:  Defendant,  do  you  still  persist  in 
your  statement  given  previously  to  the 
recess? 

HELBIG  [he  looks  pale  and  worried]:  Yes,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Then  you  insist  that  on 
the  aforesaid  evening  you  were  in  an  excited 
condition  mentally,  but  not  under  the  in- 
fluence of  liquor? 

HELBIG:  No,  sir!  I  had  taken  a  few  glasses 
of  beer,  but  I  well  knew  what  I  was  doing. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Then  you  became  a  little 
boisterous  in  the  corridor  —  Lieutenant 
von  Lauffen  reprimanded  you  —  you  re- 
torted and  finally  in  a  fit  of  passion  you 
attacked  your  superior  officer? 

HELBIG:  Yes,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  And  otherwise  you  have 
nothing  to  add  to  your  statements? 

HELBIG:  No,  sir! 

PASCHKE  [with  a  polite  gesture  to  First  Coun- 


ACT  in  TAPS  69 

cillor]:  Helbig,  I  will  endeavor  to  point 
out  to  you  once  again,  that  you  will  only 
injure  your  own  case  through  your  stub- 
born reticence.  Helbig,  you  must  conceal 
nothing  from  your  judges.  Perhaps  you 
can  tell  us  some  little  circumstance  that 
will  prove  in  your  favor  —  Helbig,  there's 
still  time  —  ! 

HELBIG  [is  silent]. 

VON  HOEVEN  [softly] :  Man!  Helbig!  Don't 
be  so  obstinate!  You  are  killing  your  own 
chances ! 

MAJOR:  Then  you  have  nothing  to  add  to 
your  testimony? 

HELBIG  [apparently  stirred  —  but  after  a  short 
pause]:  No,  sir! 

MAJOR  [shrugs  his  shoulders  and  sits  down]. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Then  we  will  proceed 
with  the  other  witnesses.  [To  orderly]: 
Orderly!  Kindly  ask  Lieutenant  von 
Lauffen  to  appear? 

ORDERLY  [very  officiously  looks  over  his  list 
through  his  glasses,  opens  the  door  and 
calls]:  Lieutenant  von  Lauffen!  If  you 
please,  sir! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [enters  in  full  dress  uniform 
and  comes  to  attention]. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Witness,  you  are  Lieu- 
tenant Joachim  Kurt  von  Lauffen,  of  the 
Magdeburg  Uhlan  regiment  No.  25,  born 


70  TAPS  ACT  in 

January  7th,  in  Strassburg,  Alsace,  in  the 
year  1881? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [depressed] :  Yes,  sir ! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  You  are  not  related  to 
the  defendant  in  any  way? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  No,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Will  you  now  kindly 
relate  to  us  the  particulars  of  your  en- 
counter with  the  defendant  on  the  night 
of  August  12th  of  the  present  year? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [hastily]:  At  your  service, 
Councillor.  I  was  about  to  retire  when  I 
heard  some  one  knock  at  my  door.  I 
opened  —  and  there  stood  —  Sergeant  Hel- 
big.  I  asked  him  what  he  wanted  at  that 
late  hour.  He  answered  with  all  sorts  of 
disjointed  statements.  Not  wishing  to 
create  a  scene  in  the  corridor,  I  finally 
asked  him  into  my  rooms.  Then  I  ques- 
tioned him  severely  —  he  retorted  angrily 
—  finally  permitted  himself  to  be  carried 
away  —  !  I  called  the  Corporal  of  the 
Guard  and  had  him  placed  under  arrest! 

COUNCILLOR:  Thank  you,  Lieutenant!  Only 
—  it  would  be  highly  desirable  if  you 
stated  the  matter  a  little  more  explicitly. 
For  instance,  what  were  the  specific  re- 
torts of  the  defendant  when  you  repri- 
manded him? 

VON    LAUFFEN:  That  —  that    I    cannot    re- 


ACT  in  TAPS  71 

member  exactly!  All  sorts  of  confused 
remarks  ...  if  I  recall  aright !  At  any  rate, 
of  no  material  importance,  I  assure  you! 
Fact,  upon  my  word !  Otherwise,  no  doubt 
I  would  have  fully  remembered  them. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  But  the  defendant  seemed 
to  be  in  a  state  of  excitement? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Yes  —  perhaps  so. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Or  perhaps  under  the 
influence  of  liquor? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  That  is  possible,  though  I 
wouldn't  say  he  was  drunk.  Only  he 
seemed  exceptionally  agitated  —  excited. 
Almost  feverishly  so.  His  whole  manner 
and  attack  impressed  me  more  like  sudden 
madness.  Yes,  yes!  A  case  of  sudden, 
temporary  insanity.  And  perhaps  —  I  — 
I  am  —  I  consider  it  my  duty  to  make  this 
statement  —  perhaps  I  really  bear  part 
of  the  blame.  I  was  in  a  particularly  irri- 
table mood  on  that  evening,  and  repri- 
manded him  somewhat  severely,  I  dare 
say  —  rudely,  perhaps  —  and  I  might 
say  without  special  reason  I  frankly  admit 
that !  And  I  must  have  given  him  a  certain 
provocation  —  and  I  have  since  bitterly 
reproached  myself  for  drawing  my  saber. 
But  as  I  said  I  was  irritated,  tremendously 
irritated  that  evening  —  as  sometimes  is 
the  case.  At  any  rate,  I  would,  with  your 


72  TAPS  ACT  in 

kind  permission,  if  possible,  respectfully 
recommend  the  defendant  to  the  leniency 
of  the  court.  [He  is  silent  as  he  notices  the 
judges  look  at  each  other  blandly.]  Yes,  yes 
—  I  urgently  ask  —  respectfully,  with  your 
permission  —  [long  pause]. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Hm — !  And  further 
explanation  you  cannot  give  us? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  No,  sir!   [Long  pause.] 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Then  I  presume  we  may 
as  well  swear  the  witness. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [is  visibly  startled]. 

VON  HOEVEN  [with  a  bow  toward  the  Major, 
asking  for  permission] :  I  am  compelled  to 
respectfully  draw  the  attention  of  the 
court  to  the  fact  that  the  statements  of 
witness  leave  a  serious  discrepancy  at  the 
same  point  where  defendant  Helbig  claims 
to  have  lost  his  memory.  This,  to  my  mind, 
is  a  most  peculiar  coincidence  and  I  con- 
sider it  my  duty  to  insist  upon  further  in- 
vestigation as  counsel  for  the  defendant. 
Therefore  I  respectfully  ask  the  gentlemen 
of  this  tribunal  to  again  interrogate  wit- 
ness on  that  point,  if  it  please  the  court! 

PASCHKE:  As  you  desire,  Lieutenant  von 
Hoeven.  Lieutenant  von  Lauffen,  I,  too, 
desire  to  direct  to  you  a  few  words  before 
you  are  sworn.  I  would  remind  you  that, 
according  to  the  Articles  of  War,  it  is  your 


ACT  in  TAPS  73 

duty  to  conceal  nothing  from  us,  as  you 
undoubtedly  know.  Therefore  I  ask  you, 
as  president  of  this  tribunal,  and  I  pray 
you  as  your  fellow  officer  and  comrade  in 
arms,  to  reconsider  your  statements  care- 
fully, before  you  repeat  them  under  oath. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [hollowly]  i  At  your  service, 
Major. 

PASCHKE  [pause]:  Then  you  have  nothing 
further  to  add? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [is  silent.  Long  and  depressing 
pause]. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Then  let  us  proceed  to 
swear  the  witness.  [Rises  and  reaches  for 
his  helmet.  The  others  do  the  same.] 

COUNT  VON  LEHDENBURG  [with  clear  trumpet 
tones]:  With  your  permission,  Major! 
Would  it  not  be  advisable  to  give  the  wit- 
ness a  little  more  time  for  the  reconsidera- 
tion of  his  testimony  —  and  meanwhile 
obtain  deposition  of  the  other  witnesses? 

PASCHKE  [to  First  Councillor]:  I  don't  know 
if  that  is  permissible  under  the  statutes. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [after  a  short  deliberation] : 
I  think  it  is,  Major,  unless  the  gentlemen 
of  the  defense  or  prosecution  would  object! 
What  say  you,  gentlemen? 

VON  HOEVEN:  No  objections! 

THIRD  COUNCILLOR:  No  objections! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Lieutenant  von  Lauffen, 


74  TAPS  ACT  in 

you  are  excused  for  the  time  being.  You 
will  presently  be  required  to  repeat  your 
statements  under  oath,  and  if  possible  to 
amend  the  same. 

VON  LATJFFEN  [hoarsely] :  With  your  permis- 
sion may  I  not  retire? 

PASCHKE:  At  your  pleasure,  Lieutenant! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  I  would  kindly  ask  you 
to  remain.  [To  the  Major]:  It  may  be  nec- 
essary to  have  his  assistance  in  the  hear- 
ing of  the  other  witnesses. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  At  your  service,  sir!  [Retires 
to  the  left  of  the  room.] 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [to  the  orderly]:  Private 
Michalek. 

ORDERLY  [as  above,  calls  out  of  the  door] :  Pri- 
vate Michalek! 

MICHALEK  [enters]. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Witness,  you  are  Wladis- 
lav  Woczek  Michalek,  by  profession  do- 
mestic servant,  now  private  in  the  third 
squadron  of  the  Magdeburger  Uhlan  regi- 
ment No.  25?  [Orderly  keeps  shoving  Mich- 
alek forward,  who  remains  frantically  at 
strict  attention.] 

MICHALEK:  Serrviss,  Majjorr! 

PASCHKE  [mildly  instructing  him]:  Michalek! 
You  should  say:  "  At  your  service,  Coun- 
cillor! " 

MICHALEK:  Serrrvisss,    Majjorr! 


ACT  in  TAPS  75 

PASCHKE:  No,  no!    Now,   then,   say:   "A-T 

Y-O-U-R    S-E-R-V-I-C-E,    C-O-U-N-C-I-L-L-O-R ! 

MICHALEK:  Serrrvisss,  Ma  —  Ma  —  Cou- 
Cou-Coun  —  [it  is  too  much  for  him]. 

MAJOR  [discouraged].   I  suppose  it's  useless! 

LEHDENBURG  [in  the  same  dialect  as  Micha* 
lek]:  Ollright,  Vladislav!  Say  serrviss, 
Maj  jorr ! 

MICHALEK  [with  a  sigh  of  relief]:  Serrviss, 
Maj  jorr! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Private  Michalek,  are 
you  in  any  way,  manner  or  form  related  to 
the  defendant,  Sergeant  Helbig? 

MICHALEK:  Serrviss,  Maj  jorr!  [The  judges 
look  at  each  other  in  surprise.] 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [to  his  associates] :  That 
seems  improbable!  Helbig  was  born  in 
Halberstadt;  his  name  on  his  mother's  side 
was  also  distinctly  German.  [To  Michalek] : 
So  you  are  really  related  to  Sergeant  Hel- 

big? 

MICHALEK:  Serrviss,  Maj  jorr! 
FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Very  good,    Now  tell  us 

in  what  way! 
MICHALEK  [is  silent]. 
FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Good  heavens,  man !  You 

surely  must  be  able  to  tell  us  how  you  are 

related  to  the  defendant? 
MICHALEK:  Serrviss,  Maj  jorr! 
FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Well  then,  speak  out! 


76  TAPS  ACT  in 

MICHALEK    [is   silent   and   almost  faints  for 

fear]. 

LEHDENBURG:  Well,  well,  Michalek? 
FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  I'm  afraid  we  shall  have 

to  resort  to  an  interpreter. 
PASCHKE  [helplessly  shrugs  his  shoulders], 
LEHDENBURG:  With   your   kind   permission, 

Major,  may  I  take  the  good  fellow  in  hand? 
PASCHKE:     Why     certainly,     Captain!     Of 

course ! 
LEHDENBURG:  Moj  may  Wadek,  nie  boj  sie! 

—  Isse  Sergeant  Helbig  uncle  yourrs  orr 

cousin?     Siostrzeniec? 
MICHALEK  [jovially]:  No,  Captain! 
LEHDENBURG:  Orr    maybe    Wladislav    have 

Sch wester !  Maybe  Sch wester  yourrs  marry 

man  named  Helbig? 
MICHALEK:  Hav  I  no  Sch  wester!     Nur  funf 

brooders! 
LEHDENBURG  [aside] :  Yes!    That  is  just  the 

perplexing  difficulty!     [To  him]:  Iss  diss 

man  pan  Sergeant  at   all  —  Wogole-Wo- 

gole  —  belong  to  yourr  family? 
MICHALEK:  Iss  my  family  not  so  pro  —  pro 
-  promin  —  nnnent ! 
LEHDENBURG  [to  the  others]:  There  you  are, 

gentlemen ! 
PASCHKE:  This  good  fellow  seems  to  be  a 

trifle  weak-minded.     However,  what  was 

he  to  testify? 


ACT  in  TAPS  77 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Lieutenant  von  Lauffen 
had  him  call  the  Corporal  of  the  Guard. 
He  did  not  enter  the  room,  nor  has  he 
otherwise  heard  or  seen  anything. 

PASCHKE:  I  imagine  we  can  dispense  with 
this  witness  altogether? 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Without  a  doubt.  The 
prosecution? 

THIRD  COUNCILLOR:  No  objections. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  And  the  gentleman  for 
the  defense? 

VON  HOEVEN:  No  objections,  Councillor. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Private  Michalek,  you 
may  retire. 

MICHALEK:  Serrviss,  Majjorr!  [Remains 
standing  at  attention.] 

LEHDENBURG:  Nich  bedsie  pochwalony  Jes- 
suss  Christus,  Wadek!  ! 

MICHALEK:  Na  wieki  wiekow.  Amen!  [Comes 
about  face  quickly,  and  throws  a  kiss 
toward  the  Captain,  while  he  marches  off 
through  the  door:  all  laugh.] 

PASCHKE:  You  certainly  have  made  a  con- 
quest there,  Count! 

LEHDENBURG:  Yass,  thank  you!  His  excel- 
lency, Prince  von  Bulow,  is  certainly  under 
obligations  to  me.  An  example  of  practical 
Colonial  statesmanship  without  the  aid  of 
government  funds.  The  great  problem  is 
solved. 


78  TAPS  ACT  m 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [to  orderly] :  Sergeant  Maj- 
or Volkhardt! 

ORDERLY  [as  above  calls  out  of  the  door] :  Ser- 
geant Major  Volkhardt! 

VOLKHARDT  [enters  and  comes  to  attention]. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Sergeant  Major  Volk- 
hardt! 

VOLKHARDT  [steps  forward  and  confronts  him] : 
Here! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Witness,  you  are  Ser- 
geant Major  Fredric  William  Volkhardt, 
born  April  20th,  1850,  at  Magdeburg? 

VOLKHARDT:  At  your  service,  Councillor. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Are  you  in  any  way, 
form  or  manner,  through  marriage  or 
otherwise,  related  to  the  defendant? 

VOLKHARDT:  No  Councillor,  not  exactly!  But 
Helbig  has  lived  in  my  house  since  his 
twelfth  year,  after  his  father,  an  old  com- 
rade of  mine,  had  died. 

PASCHKE:  Your  pardon,  Councillor —  !  Ser- 
geant Major,  pray  stand  at  ease.  Kindly 
forget  for  the  time  being  that  you  are  in 
the  presence  of  superiors,  since  we  are, 
first  of  all,  judges  and  you  are  a  witness. 

VOLKHARDT  [stands  at  ease]:  At  your  service, 
Major ! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [continues]:  But  a  formal 
adoption  has  not  taken  place? 

VOLKHARDT:  No,  Councillor! 


ACT  in  TAPS  79 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  And  you  have  no  valid 
reasons  to  withhold  your  testimony? 

VOLKHARDT:  No,  Councillor. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  On  the  evening  of  Au- 
gust 12th,  during  the  welcome  festivities  in 
honor  of  the  defendant,  you  sat  side  by 
side  with  him? 

VOLKHARDT:  Yes,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Did  you  on  that  occasion 
remark  anything  peculiar  in  the  manner 
of  your  neighbor? 

VOLKHARDT:  Nothing  in  particular.  He  may 
have  been  a  little  quieter  than  was  his 
custom. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  But  he  did  not  appear 
exceptionally  agitated? 

VOLKHARDT:  No,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Could  you  tell  us  if  the 
defendant  on  that  evening  drank  exces- 
sively or  perhaps  hastily? 

VOLKHARDT:  I  couldn't  say  that  I  noticed 
anything  of  that  sort,  though  a  fellow 
always  drinks  a  little  faster  at  first. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Approximately,  say,  how 
many  glasses  had  he  taken,  do  you  think? 

VOLKHARDT:  Well  —  it  may  have  been  four 
—  or  five  —  !  Six  at  the  most. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Then  you  would  hardly 
say  the  defendant  was  intoxicated? 

VOLKHARDT:  Well  —  hardly,    Councillor. 


80  TAPS  ACT  m 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Thank  you!  [Busies 
himself  with  his  papers.] 

LEHDENBURG:  With  your  permission  —  you 
will  pardon  me,  Major  —  but  I  would 
respectfully  request  the  information 
whether  the  defendant  had  previously  par- 
taken of  anything  substantial  or  not.  For 
I  am  firmly  convinced  that  six  glasses  of 
beer  will  produce  a  result  upon  an  empty 
stomach  dangerously  near  intoxication. 
Sorry  to  say  I  am  speaking  from  personal 
experience. 

PASCIIKE  [impatiently]:  Certainly,  Captain, 
certainly.  Councillor,  if  you  please! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Had  the  defendant  eaten 
anything  previously  or  not? 

VOLKHARDT:  Nothing  at  all,  sir.  I  had  even 
quarreled  with  him  on  account  of  it. 

LEHDENBURG:  Voila!  Consider  the  point 
in  question  satisfactorily  established.  Ser- 
geant Helbig,  during  the  commission  of 
his  offense,  was  undoubtedly  in  a  state  of 
irresponsible  inebriation. 

THIRD  COUNCILLOR:  Quite  possible,  Captain! 
Only  —  according  to  the  Articles  of  War  - 
intoxication  is  not  an  extenuating  circum- 
stance. 

LEHDENBURG  [slightly  miffed] :  Ah  —  thank 
you  —  thank  you,  Councillor,  for  the 
friendly  information.  I  was  fully  aware 


ACT  in  TAPS  81 

of  it,  of  course  —  but  consider  it  an  in- 
teresting point  to  bring  to  the  attention 
of  the  court. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Sergeant  Major  Volk- 
hardt,  what  sort  of  a  man  do  you  consider 
the  defendant?  As  regards  character,  I 
mean? 

VOLKHARDT:  I  know  him  to  be  a  quiet,  hon- 
est and  straightforward  fellow,  Councillor. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Then  you  do  not  know 
him  as  a  person  of  violent  tendencies? 

VOLKHARDT:  No,  sir!  Not  at  all,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Well  —  could  you  in  any 
way  explain  to  us  his  sudden  violent  at- 
tack on  his  superior  officer? 

VOLKHARDT:  No,  Councillor.  In  no  way 
possible. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Or  have  you  any  knowl- 
edge of,  say  —  a  possible  hidden  motive? 

VOLKHARDT:  No,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  I  mean  of  any  possible 
ill  feeling  —  or  something  of  the  sort  — 
between  the  Lieutenant  and  the  defendant? 

VOLKHARDT:  Your  pardon,  Councillor!  A 
thing  of  that  sort  between  a  commissioned 
and  non-commissioned  officer  is  surely 
impossible. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Oh  certainly — !  Of 
course!  ,1  referred  to  a  possible  ill  feeling 
between  the  two  from  former  days. 


82  TAPS  ACT  in 

VOLKHARDT:  No,  Councillor!    Certainly  not! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Or  do  you  think  it  at  all 
probable  that  for  some  secret  or  personal 
reasons  the  defendant  is  harboring  a  grudge 
against  Lieutenant  von  Lauffen? 

VOLKHARDT  [slightly  startled]:  For  personal 
reasons? 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Well,  Sergeant  Major  — 
you  hesitate!  Speak  openly,  Volkhardt. 

VOLKHARDT:  At  your  service,  Councillor!  I 
really  know  of  nothing! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  But  why  did  you  hesi- 
tate? 

VOLKHARDT:  At  your  service,  Councillor!  I 
—  I  am  almost  beside  myself  over  this 
affair  and  hardly  know  what  I  am  doing. 
To  begin  with,  here  is  Helbig,  whom  I 
consider  as  my  own  son,  gets  into  this 
scrape  and  I  can't  for  the  life  of  me  think 
what  drove  him  to  it  —  and  then,  as  the 
Councillor  spoke  of  personal  reasons,  that 
might  be  at  the  bottom  of  it  all,  I  couldn't 
help  thinking  of  —  !  But  then  that  surely 
doesn't  belong  here,  Councillor! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Speak  right  out,  Volk- 
hardt! You  can't  tell  what  important 
bearing  your  revelations  may  have  on  this 
case. 

VOLKHARDT:  Your  pardon,  Councillor!  What 
I  meant  —  hardly — ! 


ACT  in  TAPS  83 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Nevertheless,  Sergeant 
Major !  It  may  —  it  may  —  ! 

VOLKHARDT  :  Well  then  —  !  It  just  occurred 
to  me  that  my  daughter  at  home  showed  a 
singular  interest  in  the  proceedings  here. 
Every  few  moments  she  would  ask  about 
this  and  that  —  and  what  time  the  trial 
commenced  —  if  she  couldn't  be  present  — 
and  if  the  witnesses  were  compelled  to 
testify  under  oath,  and  a  lot  of  nonsense 
like  that,  till  I  finally  forbade  her  to  speak 
of  it!  Then  she  grew  more  excited  than 
ever  and  insisted  that  she  would  have  to  be 
present  —  yes,  she  insisted  determinedly 
—  and  —  and  — well,  that  just  occurred  to 
me  —  ! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Very  good.  And  had 
your  daughter  any  particular  reason  for 
her  agitation,  do  you  think? 

VOLKHARDT:  Well  —  yes!  In  a  way!  She 
was,  you  might  say,  at  one  time  engaged 
to  marry  Sergeant  Helbig. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  I  see.  In  that  case  your 
daughter's  agitation  would  seem  quite 
natural.  At  any  rate  it  is  most  improbable 
that  your  daughter  had  any  connection 
with  the  affair  between  Lieutenant  von 
Lauffen  and  Sergeant  Helbig? 

VOLKHARDT  [with  certainty]:  No,  no!  Cer- 
tainly not!  That's  quite  impossible! 


84  TAPS  ACT  m 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  That  is  so,  is  it  not,  Ser- 
geant Helbig? 

HELBIG  [bitterly,  with  faint  irony]:  At  your 
service,  Councillor! 

VON  HOEVEN:  I  respectfully  request  that 
Lieutenant  von  Lauffen  answer  the  same 
question. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  If  you  so  desire  it,  Lieu- 
tenant von  Hoeven,  certainly!  Though  I 
can't  see  any  reason  therefor. 

VOLKHARDT  [has  now  become  attentive  and 
looks  searchingly  toward  Hoeven]. 

VON  HOEVEN:  Nevertheless  I  respectfully 
repeat  my  request. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Very  well!  Lieutenant 
von  Lauffen,  will  you  kindly  oblige  us? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [hastily]:  At  your  service,  sir! 
It  is  out  of  the  question  —  out  of  the  ques- 
tion entirely! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Thank  you,  Lieutenant 
von  Lauffen!  It  is  exactly  as  I  had  ex- 
pected. It  was  the  anxiety  of  the  girl  about 
her  prospective  bridegroom. 

VOLKHARDT:  Your  pardon,  Councillor,  but 
Helbig  is  no  longer  engaged  to  my  daughter. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [jestingly] :  Ah  —  I  see ! 
A  lovers'  quarrel!  My  dear  Sergeant 
Major,  you  will  find  that  I  am  right. 

VOLKHARDT:  At  your  service,  Councillor!  I 
suppose  so! 


ACT  in  TAPS  85 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Very  good.  And  should 
we  find  it  necessary  to  ask  information  of 
your  daughter,  the  young  lady  can  be 
quickly  summoned? 

VOLKHARDT:  At  your  service,  sir!  My  quar- 
ters are  close  by. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Thank  you!  Now  we 
will  postpone  swearing  you,  Sergeant  Major, 
till  the  rest  of  the  witnesses  are  heard. 
[To  orderly]:  Sergeant  Queiss! 

ORDERLY  [as  above,  calls  out  of  the  door] :  Ser- 
geant Queiss! 

QUEISS  [enters.    Comes  to  attention]. 

ORDERLY  [after  Queiss  enters,  he  takes  another 
look  out  of  the  door,  and  with  a  sign  of  sur- 
prise and  a  frown,  exits]. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Sergeant  Johannes  Lud- 
wig  Queiss! 

QUEISS:  Here! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  You  were  born  October 
2d,  1870,  in  Brandenburg  on  the  Havel? 

QUEISS:  Service,  sir. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  You  are  not  related  to 
the  defendant  in  any  way? 

QUEISS:  No,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  On  the  evening  of  Au- 
gust 12th  you  were  acting  Corporal  of  the 
Guard  within  the  barracks  of  the  third 
squadron? 

QUEISS:  At  your  service,  sir! 


86  TAPS  ACT  in 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Then  kindly  tell  us  how 
you  were  called,  and  what  happened! 

QUEISS:  I  was  in  my  quarters  when  I  heard 
Lieutenant  von  Lauffen  call  for  the  Cor- 
poral of  the  Guard.  I  went  at  once  to  his 
rooms  and  reported.  On  my  way  I  met 
Private  Michalek.  He  came  to  call  me.  I 
sent  him  to  his  quarters. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  For  what  reason? 

QUEISS:  Something  might  be  going  on  not 
necessary  for  him  to  hear. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Very  good!   Goon! 

QUEISS:  The  door  to  the  Lieutenant's  rooms 
stood  wide  open.  I  reported  and  Lieuten- 
ant von  Lauffen  ordered  me  to  place  Ser- 
geant Helbig  under  arrest  for  having 
violently  attacked  him. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  And  of  the  preceding 
quarrel  or  dispute  you  heard  nothing? 

QUEISS:  No,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  And  during  the  trans- 
port to  the  guardhouse  the  prisoner  said 
nothing? 

QUEISS:  No,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  'Tis  well!  [To  the  judges] 
So  here  we  have  arrived  at  the  same  old 
point.  [To  Volkhardt  and  Queiss]  Ser- 
geant Major  Volkhardt  and  Sergeant 
Queiss,  I  ask  you  again,  do  you  know  of 
anything  aside  from  the  testimony  already 


ACT  in  TAPS  87 

given  that  could  possibly  cast  any  light  on 
this  whole  affair? 

BOTH  TOGETHER:  No,  Councillor! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Or  have  you  any  con- 
jectures —  be  they  what  they  may? 

VOLKHARDT:  No,  Councillor. 

QUEISS  [is  silent]. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Well  —  Sergeant  Queiss? 

QUEISS  [after  an  impressive  pause — frown- 
ing] :  When  I  received  the  command  of  the 
Lieutenant  to  place  Sergeant  Helbig  under 
arrest  I  seemed  to  hear  a  noise  in  the 
Lieutenant's  bedroom  —  and  when  I  led 
the  prisoner  off  he  turned  and  cast  one 
last  glance  at  that  bedroom  door. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Well?  And? 

QUEISS:  Well,  I  suppose  there  must  have 
been  some  one  in  that  room. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  And  what  or  who  do  you 
think  it  could  have  been? 

QUEISS:  Hm!  What  else  could  it  have  been 
but  a  woman!  [Distinct  movement  among 
the  judges.] 

LEHDENBURG    [aloud]  i  Ah  !!!!!! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [to  Queiss]:  A  woman? 
You  mean,  such  was  your  conjecture? 

VOLKHARDT  [bursts  out  into  a  soft,  respectful 
laugh  —  in  an  audible  whisper,  shaking  his 
head]:  Well  — I'll  be  — 


88  TAPS  ACT  in 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Sergeant  Major  Volk- 
hardt,  you  have  something  to  say? 

VOLKHARDT:  At  your  service,  Councillor!  I 
would  respectfully  say  that  Queiss  —  he  is 
really  our  best  Sergeant  —  I  don't  believe 
there's  a  better  one  in  the  corps  or  in  the 
entire  army  —  no  better  rider  at  least,  and 
as  for  his  veterinary  knowledge,  I  tell  you  — 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [impatiently]:  Yes,  yes, 
my  dear  Volkhardt,  that  is  quite  possible. 

VOLKHARDT:  It's  a  fact  Councillor  —  beg- 
ging your  pardon  —  he's  a  sort  of  a  woman 
hater.  It's  something  like  a  red  rag  to  a 
bull  —  and  whenever  there's  any  trouble  — 
to  his  way  of  thinking,  there's  sure  to  be  a 
woman  at  the  bottom  of  it! 

LEHDENBURG:  I  must  frankly  admit  this 
fellow  interests  me  decidedly. 

PASCHKE  [reprimanding]:  Captain,  I  beg  of 
you—  !  'Tis  well,  Volkhardt.  We  shall 
not  accept  the  suspicions  of  Sergeant 
Queiss  off  hand.  However,  it  is  our  sworn 
duty  to  follow  even  this  most  unlikely 
clue!  [Motions  to  Councillor  to  proceed.] 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [with  a  rather  superior 
smile]:  Sergeant  Queiss!  What  else  did 
you  notice  that  would  point  to  the  presence 
of  a  woman  in  that  room? 

QUEISS:  Nothing,   sir! 

FIRST    COUNCILLOR:  And    the    sounds    you 


ACT  in  TAPS  89 

heard  may  have  come  from  somewhere 
else,  may  they  not?  From  the  street  or 
from  the  adjoining  room?  The  barrack 
walls  are  not  particularly  thick! 

QUEISS:  Well,  maybe  so!  The  noise  wasn't 
really  what  made  me  suspicious,  but  it  was 
Helbig's  turning  back  and  looking  at  the 
door. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Sergeant  Queiss,  I  am 
forced  to  bring  to  your  attention  that  you 
are  here  as  a  witness.  You  must  not  ad- 
vance suppositions  or  theories  for  which 
you  can't  have  the  slightest  proofs.  Why 
you  can't  even  tell  us  how  or  why  you 
came  to  these  suspicions. 

QUEISS:  Well  —  I've  seen  a  woman  come 
from  the  Lieutenant's  rooms  before. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  You  have?  And  when 
was  that? 

QUEISS:  At  the  beginning  of  July,  about 
two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  I  can  tell  the 
exact  date  if  I  look  in  the  revision  book. 
It  was  when  Andromeda  had  her  left 
shoulder  kicked  to  pieces. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Do  you  know  who  this 
woman  was? 

QUEISS:  No,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  :  But  you  said  you  saw  the 
lady? 

QUEISS:  Yes,  sir!     It  was  a  sort  of  a  white 


90  TAPS  ACT  in 

figure  gliding  down  the  corridor  —  around 
the  corner  —  and  she  was  gone. 

LEHDENBTJRG  :  Unquestionably  the  white  lady 
of  the  Berlin  Castle  on  nocturnal  detour. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  But,  Sergeant  Queiss! 
That  a  full-grown  person  could  as  suddenly 
disappear  as  you  describe,  does  not  sound 
very  plausible.  And  as  for  having  been  a 
ghost  — 

QUEISS:  I  don't  believe  in  such  rot,  Council- 
lor. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  And  the  barracks  are 
securely  locked  and  barred  during  the 
night? 

QUEISS:  Yes,  sir!  At  least  they  are  supposed 
to  be. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Then  it  is  evidently  im- 
possible for  any  one  to  suddenly  disappear 
[sarcastically].  This  "  white  lady  "  came 
from  the  Lieutenant's  rooms,  you  say? 

QUEISS:  Yes,  sir!  That  I  saw  clearly  —  as 
clearly  as  I  can  see  the  Councillor  now! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  But  why  didn't  you  fol- 
low her? 

QUEISS:  Just  at  that  moment  I  heard  two 
horses  biting  each  other  in  the  stables,  and 
as  the  stable  guard  must  have  fallen  asleep 
I  ran  down  there. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  And  you  considered  that 
of  more  importance? 


ACT  in  TAPS  91 

QTJEISS  [emphatically]:  Yes,  sir! 

LEHDENBURG:  A  most  interesting  individual, 
'pon  my  word. 

QUEISS:  When  I  returned  I  searched  every 
nook  and  corner  — 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  And  found? 

QUEISS:  Nothing,  sir! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  And  then  you  realized 
that  you  had  made  a  mistake.  You  per- 
mitted the  moonshine  to  deceive  you. 

QUEISS:  The  moon  didn't  shine  that  night, 
sir. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [annoyed]:  Or  heaven 
knows  what  you  dreamed  of  that  night. 
At  any  rate  you  surely  do  not  wish  to 
maintain  that  the  occurrence  had  any 
connection  with  Sergeant  Helbig's  case? 
He  was  still  at  the  riding  academy  at  that 
time. 

QUEISS:  I  know  that,  Councillor. 

LEHDENBURG:  I  beg  your  pardon.  I  would 
respectfully  ask  a  question.  I  would  like 
to  ascertain  if  there  is  any  specimen  of 
lovely  femininity  dwelling  within  the  range 
of  these  barracks. 

QUEISS  [startled,  but  silent,  casts  a  furtive 
glance  at  Volkhardt]. 

VOLKHARDT:  At  your  service,  Captain.  My 
quarters  are  in  the  barracks  and  —  of 
course  —  my  daughter  lives  with  me. 


92  TAPS  ACT  in 

LEHDENBURG  [slowly]:  Indeed!  Thank  you 
—  thank  you  kindly,  Sergeant  Major!  I 
merely  wanted  to  know.  .  . . 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Sergeant  Queiss!  You 
are  fully  convinced  now,  are  you  not,  that 
you  were  deceived  in  some  way  or  other? 

QUEISS  [shrugs  his  shoulders] :  Well  —  it's 
always  the  case.  Whenever  an  honest  fel- 
low gets  into  trouble  there's  a  woman  at 
the  bottom  of  it  all. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [reproving] :  That's  non- 
sense, Queiss. 

LEHDENBURG:  A  pronounced  woman  hater, 
'pon  my  word. 

PASCHKE:  Yes,  indeed!  It  appears  to  be  a 
sort  of  a  fixed  idea  of  the  man  —  and 
yet  —  !  Helbig !  Tell  me !  Was  there  a 
woman  at  the  bottom  of  this  affair? 

HELBIG  [agitated] :  No !  No !  No ! 

PASCHKE  [warning]:  Helbig! 

HELBIG  [distressed] :  I'll  not  say  another  word. 
[Sinks  down  exhausted.  Pause.] 

PASCHKE:  Lieutenant  von  Lauffen,  will  you 
kindly  express  yourself  on  the  point  in 
question? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [is  startled.  He  battles  with  him- 
self -  -  after  a  'painful  pause]:  Sergeant 
Queiss  is  certainly  mistaken. 

PASCHKE:  Hm —  !  Lieutenant  von  Lauffen! 
For  the  second  time  I  will  refrain  from 


ACT  in  TAPS  93 

pointing  out  to  you  the  seriousness  of  the 
oath  you  will  be  obliged  to  take  upon  your 
testimony.  The  statements  of  Sergeant 
Queiss  have  taken  us  somewhat  by  sur- 
prise, but  if  there  is  only  a  grain  of  truth 
in  his  surmises  and  suspicions,  it  would 
readily  explain  some  of  the  previously 
inexplicable  points  in  the  case.  Lieutenant 
von  Lauffen,  a  few  moments  ago  you  asked 
for  the  defendant  the  leniency  of  this  court 
and  pointed  to  extenuating  circumstances. 
Therefore  —  a  rivalry  —  a  sudden  jeal- 
ous rage  —  or  something  of  that  sort  would 
undoubtedly  establish  such  a  circumstance 
—  even  though  it  failed  to  clear  the  de- 
fendant of  his  crime  altogether.  Can  you 
or  will  you  assist  the  defendant  to  this  ad- 
vantage? [Portentous  pause.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [distressed] :  I  —  I  —  I  have 
nothing  further  to  add  to  my  statements. 

PASCHKE  [shrugs  his  shoulders  and  sits  down. 
Long  pause.] 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [mildly  warning] :  You  will 
presently  be  compelled  to  repeat  your 
statements  under  oath,  Lieutenant  von 
Lauffen. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [dully]  i  At  your  service,  Coun- 
cillor. 

[Long  and  pregnant  pause,  the  while  First 
Councillor  toys  nervously  with  paper  cutter.] 


94  TAPS  ACT  in 

VON  HOEVEN  [hoarsely  —  clearing  his  throat]: 
I  would  respectfully  maintain  that  in  spite 
of  all  the  testimony  to  date  the  case  is  not 
at  all  cleared  up.  However,  I  consider  the 
statements  of  both  Sergeant  Queiss  and 
Sergeant  Major  Volkhardt  of  grave  impor- 
tance. Therefore  I  respectfully  request 
the  court  to  summon  the  daughter  of  Ser- 
geant Major  Volkhardt,  and  obtain  de- 
position of  the  young  lady  —  in  fact  learn 
from  her  own  lips  what  she  knows  about 
the  case,  if  anything  at  all. 
[Perplexed  silence.  Volkhardt  visibly  startled.] 

LEHDENBTJRG  [emphatically]:  I  am  certainly 
in  favor  of  conceding  the  point  to  the  de- 
fense. 

HAGEMEISTER  [alert] :  I  fully  agree  with  the 
Captain. 

PASCHKE:  Well  —  so  do  I. 

[Second  and  Third  Councillors  nod  their  con- 
sent.] 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Certainly,  gentlemen  ! 
Shall  the  young  lady  be  summoned  at  once? 

PASCHKE:  I  think  so.  The  quarters  of  the 
third  squadron  are  scarcely  five  hundred 
paces  distant.  Orderly!  But  where  is  the 
Sergeant? 

QUEISS  [goes  to  door  and  calls] :  Sergeant ! 

ORDERLY  [enters  —  while  obviously  barring 
some  one  from  entering  the  room]. 


ACT  in  TAPS  95 

PASCHKE:  Where  have  you  been,  Sergeant? 

ORDERLY:  Outside,  sir! 

PASCHKE  [sarcastically]:  So  I  observed!  Send 
the  usher  of  the  court  at  once  to  the  bar- 
racks of  the  third  squadron  and  kindly 
have  Miss  Volkhardt  served  with  this  sum- 
mons [takes  paper  from  orderly].  Ask  her 
to  kindly  answer  the  same  at  once  if  pos- 
sible. [Motions  impatiently  to  orderly,  to 
take  the  summons.] 

ORDERLY  [remains  calmly  at  the  door  —  grudg- 
ingly]: At  your  service,  Major!  Miss 
Volkhardt  is  already  here.  [General  aston- 
ishment.] 

ORDERLY  [deigns  to  continue]:  She  has  been 
waiting  quite  some  time.  Ever  since  — 
[laboriously  puts  glasses  on  nose  and  studies 
his  list]  —  since  —  Sergeant  Queiss  was 
called.  She  desires  to  testify. 

PASCHKE:  But  why  haven't  you  reported  that 
before? 

ORDERLY:  Because  her  name  is  not  given  on 
the  official  list  as  witness,  and  according  to 
instructions  women  are  not  admitted  here. 

PASCHKE:  Is  that  so?  Then  you  may  admit 
her  now! 

ORDERLY:  At  your  service,  Major.  [Calls 
out  of  the  door]  Miss  Volkhardt !  [Exits.] 

LEHDENBURG  [in  a  loud  aside] :  Ah  —  here  is 
where  the  story  begins ! 


96  TAPS  ACT  in 

CLARA  [enters,  in  a  plain,  dark  dress  and  a 
simple  straw  hat], 

PASCHKE:  You  are  Miss  Clara  Volkliardt? 

VOLKHARDT  [beside  himself]:  Your  pardon, 
Major!  Yes  —  this  is  my  daughter. 

PASCHKE:  Thank  you,  Sergeant  Major!  [To 
Clara] :  You  desire  to  testify  in  the  case  of 
Sergeant  Helbig,  Miss  Volkhardt? 

CLARA  [oppressed  —  yet  decided]:  Yes! 

PASCHKE:  You  have  something  to  tell  us? 
Something  of  great  importance,  perhaps? 

CLARA:  Yes!  —  Only —  !  You  will  pardon 
the  question.  Have  the  witnesses  been 
sworn  as  yet? 

PASCHKE:  No,  not  yet. 

CLARA  [pressing]:  Not  any  one  of  them? 

PASCHKE:  No,  Miss  Volkhardt! 

CLARA  [relieved]:  Thank  you,  Major. 

PASCHKE:  First  of  all,  Miss  Volkhardt,  you 
must  try  and  control  yourself  —  and  then 
—  you  may  be  seated. 

CLARA:  Thank  you,  Major!  I  prefer  to  stand. 

PASCHKE:  As  you  like.  Councillor,  if  you 
please. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  At  your  service,  Major. 
[Affably]  Hm  —  now  then,  Miss  Volk- 
hardt, will  you  kindly  tell  us  first  of  all 
what  you  know?  Your  deposition  can  be 
taken  later,  for  it  is  just  possible  that  your 
information  is  entirely  irrelevant,  of  course ! 


ACT  in  TAPS  97 

CLARA  [nervously] :  I  hardly  think  so ! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Well  —  that  we  shall 
soon  be  able  to  decide.  You  are  fully 
acquainted  with  the  history  of  this  action, 
I  presume? 

CLARA:  Yes!    Perfectly! 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [praising] :  Very  good. 
And  —  what  do  you  know  in  connection 
with  the  same? 

CLARA  [with  quick  resolve]:  I  know  how 
Lieutenant  von  Lauffen  and  Sergeant  Hel- 
big  came  to  quarrel. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Indeed?  That  informa- 
tion would  be  highly  desirable  to  us !  So  if 
you  please,  Miss  Volkhardt. 

CLARA:  As  you  know  my  foster  brother  has 
been  away  at  the  riding  academy  for  the 
past  two  years  — 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR:  Yes,  yes —  ! 

CLARA:  —  and  before  he  left  —  we  were 
partly  engaged.  Not  formally,  or  openly, 
but  in  a  way  that  he  considered  me  his  in- 
tended bride  — 

FIRST   COUNCILLOR:  Correct! 

PASCHKE  [lays  his  hand  on  First  Councillor's 
arm  —  he  should  cease  the  interruptions]. 

CLARA  :  And  when  he  returned  he  —  he  im- 
agined to  have  cause  for  jealousy  of  the 
Lieutenant.  That  same  night  he  called 
Lieutenant  von  Lauffen  to  account.  The 


98  TAPS  ACT  in 

Lieutenant  refused  to  listen,  and  ordered 
him  from  his  room.  But  Helbig  grew  insist- 
ent and  finally  accused  the  Lieutenant  of 
having  me  concealed  in  his  bedroom.  As  the 
Lieutenant  would  not  permit  him  to  ap- 
proach the  door,  Helbig  threw  himself 
upon  the  Lieutenant  and  flung  him  aside. 
Then  the  Lieutenant  struck  Helbig  with 
his  saber  —  but  in  spite  of  it  Helbig 
reached  the  door  and  opened  it  —  [general 
movement]. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [embarrassed] :  Well  —  that 
—  that  all  seems  very  plausible,  but,  Miss 
Volkhardt  —  if  you  will  permit  me  —  how 
do  you  know  all  these  details  so  perfectly? 
Were  you  —  ? 

CLARA  [hard] :  Yes  —  !    I  was  in  there  —  ! 

VOLKHARDT  [has  watched  the  proceedings  since 
Clara's  entrance  in  a  sort  of  a  daze  —  now 
totters  back.  Queiss  busies  himself  about  him.] 

CLARA  [softly] :  I  had  gone  to  Lieutenant  von 
Lauffen's  room.  We  —  I  love  him.  [Pause.] 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR  [rattled] :  Yes  —  that's  all 
very  good  —  but  am  I  to  understand  —  ? 

PASCHKE:  I  think  that  makes  the  case  per- 
fectly clear,  Councillor.  All  that  is  neces- 
sary now  is  to  obtain  the  corroboration  of 
both  the  defendant  and  Lieutenant  von 
Lauffen.  Sergeant  Helbig,  do  you  admit 
the  truth  of  Miss  Volkhardt 's  statements? 


ACT  m  TAPS  99 

HELBIG  [bitterly] :  I  presume  it  must  be  so,  if 
she  says  it.  [Sinks  into  chair  and  buries  his 
face  in  his  hands.] 

PASCHKE:  And  you  —  Lieutenant  von  Lauf- 
fen? 

VON  LATJFFEN:  At  your  service,  Major! 

VOLKHARDT  [up  to  this  moment  has  doubted  it 
all  —  until  the  answer  of  Lauffen  upon  whose 
lips  his  eyes  are  fixed.  At  this  moment  he 
utters  a  hoarse  cry  and  would  pounce  on 
him,  half  drawing  his  saber] :  Ah  —  ! 

PASCHKE  [calls  warningly]:  Sergeant  Major! 
[General  tumult.] 

QUEISS  [at  the  same  moment  seizes  Volkhardt 
from  behind  and  with  giant  strength  forces 
him  into  one  of  the  witness  chairs,  whispering 
in  his  ear  sullenly]:  Keep  cool,  Sergeant 
Major!  One  is  enough!  Keep  cool! 

VOLKHARDT  [sits  gasping  in  chair.  Every 
one  has  risen  and  looks  at  him  in  great  ex- 
citement —  at  him  and  Queiss.  The  Sec- 
ond Councillor  alone  has  remained  seated.] 

PASCHKE  [severely]:  What  does  this  mean, 
Sergeant  Major?  What  does  it  mean? 

QUEISS  [resolutely]:  Your  pardon,  Major!  I 
thought  the  Sergeant  Major  fainting  and  so 
I  kept  him  from  falling. 

PASCHKE:  Was  that  really  the  case? 

[The  others  look  at  each  other  in  silence  and 
shrug    their    shoulders.] 


100  TAPS  ACT  in 

LEHDENBUBG  [animated  now  comes  to  the  rescue 
—  between  the  two  Sergeants  and  the  Major] : 
With  your  permission,  I  would  respectfully 
say:  Without  a  doubt  —  without  a  doubt! 
Observed  the  incident  in  every  detail  per- 
sonally, Major.  A  genuine  swoon  —  un- 
questionable, I  assure  you.  Fact!  Upon 
my  word!  And  I  should  say  no  wonder! 
[Puts  on  monocle,  turns  to  Queiss,  eyes  him, 
and  then  taps  him  on  the  shoulder]:  You 
came  to  the  rescue  in  good  time.  Well 
done,  my  good  fellow,  well  done!  [To 
Volkhardt] :  Come,  come,  my  good  Sergeant 
Major!  An  old  veteran  like  you  must  not 
give  up  so  easily.  Come,  cheer  up !  Every- 
thing will  be  all  right  again ! 

VOLKHARDT  [straightens  up  —  with  deep  mean- 
ing]: At  your  service,   Captain!    It  must 
be  all  right  again.   It  must! 
[CURTAIN] 


ACT  IV 

[The  scene  is  the  same  as  in  Act  II.  ] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [is  lying  on  the  divan,  his  head 
resting  on  his  hands.  On  table  and  chairs 
are  scattered  in  confusion  czapka,  bando- 
lier, saber  and  gloves.  The  room  is  in  semi- 
darkness.  After  a  little  while  he  rises  slowly, 
languidly  goes  to  door  and  calls]:  Michalek! 
[Closes  door,  comes  to  desk  and  remains 
standing.] 

MICHALEK  [enters]:  Pan  Lieutenant? 

VON  LAUFFEN  :  You  can  light  the  lamp,  Micha- 
lek. 

MICHALEK:  Serviss,  pan  Lieutenant.  [He 
lights  the  lamp.] 

VON  LAUFFEN:  And  put  the  room  in  order. 

MICHALEK:  Serviss!  [Puts  the  different  articles 
in  their  proper  places  while  von  Lauffen 
watches  him  absent-mindedly.  With  the 
last  article  in  his  hand]:  Will  pan  Lieuten- 
ant have  coffee  or  tea?  [As  Lauffen  is 
silent]  Isse  make  vera  quick.  Michalek 
buy  fresh  alcohol.  Isse  make  vera  quick. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Never  mind,  Michalek.  I 
don't  want  it. 

101 


102  TAPS  ACT  iv 

MICHALEK  [timidly  —  after  a  pause] :  Orr  pan 
Lieutenant  preferr  stein  beer  from  Stadt 
Strassburg?  Isse  fine  fresh  beer  — 

VON  LAUFFEN  [sharply] :  Shut  up  —  !  No, 
no  —  [swallowing  the  last  words  —  repent- 
antly] No, '  Michalek,  I  don't  want  any. 
You're  a  good  fellow.  [Takes  a  handful  of 
cigarettes  from  the  case  and  gives  them  to 
him.]  Here! 

MICHALEK  [would  kiss  his  hand  —  beaming 
with  gratitude]:  Danke,  pan  Lieutenant! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Nonsense!  Kusch! 

MICHALEK  [goes  to  door]:  Pan  Lieutenant 
wish  something  else? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  No!  Nothing  more.  [Pulls 
his  watch.]  Tell  me,  Michalek,  what  time 
is  it?  [Tapping  his  watch  on  his  hand  and 
holding  it  to  his  ear  —  partly  to  himself.] 
My  timepiece  seems  to  be  on  a  strike. 

MICHALEK:  Isse  quarter  to  ten.  Headquar- 
ters make  preparation  to  sound  Taps. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [startled] :  Good!  When  you 
have  finished  cleaning  up  you  can  go  to 
bed. 

MICHALEK:  Serrviss,  pan  Lieutenant.  [Would 
go  to  door.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [calls  after  him]:  Michalek! 
But  first  go  to  Lieutenant  von  Hoeven  and 
ask  him  to  step  over  here  for  a  moment 
—  for  a  few  words. 


ACT  iv  TAPS  103 

MICHALEK:  Serrviss!  [Repeats  order]  Would 
Lieutenant  von  Hoeven  please  come  see 
pan  Lieutenant  for  few  words  —  for  few 
words. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Correct!    Kusch! 

MICHALEK    [exits]. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [restlessly  walks  up  and  down 
the  room.  Finally  goes  to  mirror  and  ar- 
ranges his  uniform  a  bit.  Buttons  his  collar 
and  fixes  his  hair  with  two  military 
brushes]. 

VON  HOEVEN  [enters  a  trifle  embarrassed}. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [meets  him  half  way]:  You'll 
pardon  me  for  sending  for  you.  [He  stops  — 
then,  jerkingly]  I  had  to  have  some  one  to 
talk  to.  I  couldn't  bear  it  any  longer. 

VON  HOEVEN:  Yes  —  I  understand.  How- 
ever —  I  meant  to  come  of  my  own  accord. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  You  did?  Really?  [Goes  to 
him  and  presses  his  hand.]  Thank  you, 
old  man! 

VON  HOEVEN  [has  gripped  his  hand  tightly]: 
Yes,  I  surely  would  have  come  —  !  Only  - 
I  needed  a  little  time  to  regain  control  of 
myself.  Immediately  after  the  proceed- 
ings—  no,  no!  I  could  not  have  done  it. 
—  And  —  [he  is  gradually  talking  himself 
into  a  rage]  and  that  —  was  a  good  thing 
for  you,  for  I  could  have  whipped  you  — 
whipped  you  like  a  cur  - 


104  TAPS  ACT  iv 

VON   LAUFFEN  [is  visibly   stung  —  nervously 
bites  his  lips]. 

VON  HOEVEN  [several  times  up  and  down  — 
after  a  pause] :  Man  — •  what  have  you 
done?  —  to  yourself  —  to  me  —  to  all  of 
us  who  wear  the  army  shoulder  straps! 
Heavens  above  —  !  [Takes  a  deep  breath  — 
then  quieter]  My  boy,  I  loved  you  like  my 
own  brother  —  who  died  in  my  arms  when 
he  was  scarcely  sixteen.  Now  don't  for  a 
moment  imagine  I  considered  you  the  spot- 
less example  of  masculine  perfection.  Far 
from  it!  I  was  never  blind  to  your  many 
faults  and  weaknesses,  but  I  loved  you  in 
spite  of  them,  for  you  had  the  material 
within  you  for  a  man  —  But  now  —  ! 
Now !  !  Had  you  brought  ruin  to  any  other 
girl  —  well,  I  might  have  overlooked  and 
added  it  to  your  other  faults  and  short- 
comings. [Laughs  bitterly.]  Oh,  yes!  So 
illogical  we  men  are !  But  that  through  you 
those  fellows  out  there  can  resume  their 
scurrilous  attacks  on  our  calling,  that  you 
yourself  have  given  these  insidious  knaves 
a  valid  reason  for  their  foul  slurs!  That 
through  you  they  have  been  given  the  full 
right  to  ask  the  question:  How  can  the 
officer  demand  the  respect  of  his  subordi- 
nates when  he  himself  refuses  to  recognize 
their  holiest  feelings  and  their  simplest 


ACT  iv  TAPS  105 

sense  of  honor?  That  —  By  God,  boy,  I 
cannot  forgive  you.  But  not  that  alone. 
I  myself  had  warned  you  on  the  self -same 
accursed  evening.  I  sensed  the  catas- 
trophe !  I  saw  it  coming.  But,  no !  You 
blundered  into  the  trap  like  a  schoolboy  — 
and  as  the  whole  disgraceful  affair  dis- 
closed itself  at  the  court  martial,  I  could 
have  treated  you  like  a  schoolboy  —  like  a 
schoolboy  .  .  .  ! 

[Long  pause.  Von  Hoeven  walks  agitated 
up  and  down.  Von  Lauffen  has  stepped  to 
the  window.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [after  a  pause  —  with  forced 
calmness]:  How  a  man  can  change!  If 
any  one  had  insinuated  four  weeks  ago 
that  I  would  ever  allow  this  to  be  said  to 
my  face  —  I  would  have  —  [short  and 
discordant  laugh]  Well,  Hoeven,  I  pre- 
sume you  know  what  you  are  saying. 

VON  HOEVEN  [honestly] :  Yes !  And  that's  why 
I  have  said  it. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  So  that's  settled.  The  dam- 
age is  irreparable.  No  use  to  discuss  it 
further.  The  more  important  question  is: 
What  now? 

VON  HOEVEN  [shrugs  his  shoulders  and  toys 
with  paper  cutter]. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [slowly] i  Hoeven!  Do  you 
know,  I  don't  feel  at  all  grateful  to  you  for 


106  TAPS  ACT  iv 

having  saved  me  several  times  during  the 
proceedings  —  from  —  perjury? 

VON  HOEVEN:  Man  —  have  you  gone  stark 
mad? 

VON  LATJFFEN  [quietly] :  Not  at  all.  I  will  tell 
you  why.  Had  I  taken  the  false  oath,  then 
my  course  now  would  be  perfectly  simple 
and  easy  —  !  [Jumps  up  in  his  excitement.] 
You  cannot  possibly  imagine  my  present 
state  of  mind.  All  the  hopelessness  and  dis- 
traction —  !  It's  enough  to  drive  me  mad. 

VON  HOEVEN:  Lauffen!  Do  you  know  that 
the  penalty  for  perjury  is  —  the  peniten- 
tiary? 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Certainly!  I  had  fully  in- 
formed myself  on  that  point.  And  even  so 
—  I  was  compelled  to  see  it  through  to 
the  end,  wasn't  I? 

VON  HOEVEN  [shrugs  his  shoulders,  embar- 
rassed]. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  You  admit  that!  And  this 
much  I  will  confess  to  you.  Worse  than 
the  impending  penitentiary  was  to  me  the 
sight  of  this  fellow  Helbig.  After  treating 
him  with  contempt  as  one  of  the  rabble,  I 
am  forced  to  hide  from  him.  I  am  forced 
to  lie  —  devil  take  it,  lie  for  my  own  per- 
sonal advantage  —  while  he  lies  heroically 
-  voluntarily  —  fully  knowing  that  it 
must  be  his  ruin  —  !  That  was  worse  than 


ACT  iv  TAPS  107 

perjury  —  a  thousand  times  worse  than 
the  penitentiary.  By  God !  But  what's  the 
use!  I  had  to  swallow  my  medicine  and  I 
did  it.  The  incident  was  closed.  And  now 
you  come  here,  and  — 

VON  HOEVEN:  And  by  the  eternal  man!  What 
about  Clara  Volkhardt? 

VON  LAUFFEN  [stubbornly]:  The  incident  was 
closed  —  and  my  path,  devil  knows,  was 
straight  before  me.  And  yet  I  sit  here  and 
fret  and  worry.  I  am  worse  off  than  before. 
On  my  hands  and  knees  I  would  search 
for  a  loophole  to  escape  —  to  escape  it  all. 
[Throws  himself  on  the  divan.]  What  in 
the  world  am  I  going  to  do  now? 

VON  HOEVEN  [hesitating] :  I'm  afraid  you  will 
have  to  ask  for  your  discharge. 

VON  LAUFFEN  :  Yes !  And  the  sooner  the  bet- 
ter, unless  I  wish  to  receive  it.  So  far,  so 
good.  But  after  all,  I  am  not  the  only  suf- 
ferer. 

VON  HOEVEN  [looks  at  him  embarrassed], 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Confound  it!  I  must  come  to 
some  sort  of  an  understanding  with  the 
Sergeant  Major  and  —  Clara! 

VON  HOEVEN:  Frankly  speaking,  advice  un- 
der the  circumstances  is  a  difficult  matter. 
.  .  .  You  will  hardly  be  able  to  clear  your 
skirts  of  the  affair  altogether.  [With  a  sud- 
den resolve]  Why  don't  you  marry  the  girl? 


108  TAPS  ACT  iv 

VON  LAUFFEN  [slowly  and  thoughtfully] :  Marry? 
Yes !  I've  thought  of  it  myself.  —  That 
would  perhaps  [rises,  more  animated}— 
Look  here,  Hoeven !  If  only  to  correct  your 
opinion  of  me  somewhat  [warmly}  —  I  want 
you  to  believe  me!  The  affair  with  Clara 
was  not  a  frivolous  intrigue.  In  the  begin- 
ning, perhaps  —  but  later!  — With  every 
day  my  affection  for  the  girl  grew  stronger 
—  honestly !  Yes !  — In  fact  my  regard  for 
her  was  too  great  —  and  now  I  love  her  more 
than  ever.  She  comes  forward,  of  her  own 
free  will  casts  aside  all  timidity.  Like  a 
faithful  comrade  she  cuts  me  out  —  she 
comes  to  my  rescue.  That  was  grand, 
Hoeven;  that  was  noble  —  that  was  un- 
paralleled. Upon  my  word,  I  would 
gladly  marry  the  girl  - 

VON  HOEVEN:  That  would  be  properly  taking 
the  consequences,  my  boy. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [shows  the  smallness  of  his 
sow/]:  But  I  am  not  the  kind  of  a  man  to 
take  the  consequences. --Ye  gods,  what 
sort  of  a  face  my  father  would  make  to 
that! 

VON  HOEVEN  :  It  strikes  me  the  old  gentleman 
will  make  a  face  as  it  is ! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Yes,  I  suppose  so!  And  after 
all  why  should  I  consider  the  old  man  and 
the  whole  collection  of  cousins  and  aunts? 


ACT  iv  TAPS  109 

I'll  manage  them  all  some  way!  But  see 
here!  Clara  —  Lord  knows  I  love  the  girl, 
and  her  honest  old  father!  The  old  veteran 
has  something  about  him  to  be  almost 
venerated. 

VON  HOEVEN  [laughs  lightly]. 

VON  LAUFFEN  :  Fact,  upon  my  word.  I  almost 
reverence  the  old  fellow.  However,  if  those 
were  the  only  obstacles!  No!  I  tell  you  I 
simply  could  not  endure  the  sudden  appear- 
ance of  an  uncle  or  brother-in-law  who 
would  disclose  himself  a  chimney  sweep  and 
proffer  me  his  soiled  but  honest  hand  of 
toil.  No,  no,  no!  That  I  could  not  bear! 

VON  HOEVEN  [after  a  long  pause  —  particularly 
frosty]:  Well,  then  the  incident  is  closed. 
Yes,  and  as  that  was  the  only  way  to  cor- 
rectly and  honorably  right  the  wrong  you 
have  committed  you  will  have  to  do  the 
best  you  can  now  and  await  developments. 
And  —  at  least  for  the  present  it  would  be 
senseless  to  discuss  the  matter  further. 
Don't  you  think  so?  Well  —  good  night, 
Lauffen!  Should  you  require  my  services 
you  know  where.  [Goes  to  door]  Good  night. 
[Exits,  after  ignoring  Lauffen's  extended 
hand.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [looks  after  him  surprised  and 
dumbfounded,  takes  a  few  steps  as  if  to  fol- 
low him,  but  does  not  do  so.  With  a  hopeless 


110  TAPS  ACT  IV 

gesture  he  drops  into  chair.  There  is  a  knock 
at  the  door.  He  does  not  hear  it  the  first  time. 
At  the  second  knock  he  jumps  up  startled.] 
Well?  What  is  it? 

MICHALEK  [enters.  He  is  still  buttoning  his 
blouse]:  Isse  de  pan  Sergeant  Major! 

VON  LATJFFEN  [with  a  start]:  Who? 

MICHALEK:  Pan  Sergeant  Major  respectfully 
ask  — 

VON  LAUFFEN  [after  a  moment's  thought]:  Let 
him  come  in! 

MICHALEK:  Serrviss!  [Steps  back  and  opens 
door  for  Volkhardt,  who  enters;  after  which 
Michalek  exits.] 

VOLKHARDT  [comes  at  once  to  attention.  He  is 
without  saber  or  belt,  and  carries  his  cap  in 
his  hand.  He  still  wears  the  ulanka  with  the 
order  of  the  iron  cross,  which  he  wore  during 
court-martial  scene.  This  is  the  evening  of 
the  same  day.  Long  silence], 

VON  LAUFFEN  [hoarsely,  depressed]:  You 
wished  to  speak  to  me,  Sergeant  Major? 

VOLKHARDT  [heavily] :    At  your  service,  Lieu- 
tenant. I  have  been  waiting  over  yonder  — 
in  the   dark  —  till  I    saw  a  light  here  - 
then  I  thought,  now  is  the  time;  now  you 
can  go  over  —  and  —  here  I  am ! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Yes,  Sergeant  Major!     I- 
believe  we  have  something  to  say  to  each 
other. 


ACT    IV  TAPS  111 

VOLKIIARDT:  At  your  service,  Lieutenant! 
We  have! 

VON  LAUFFEN  :  M  —  yes  —  of  course  —  Ser- 
geant Major  [with  sudden  resolve]  —  I  have 
done  you  a  wrong!  A  wrong  that  can 
never  again  be  righted.  And  —  but  stand 
at  ease,  Sergeant  Major!  You're  not  on 
duty  now. 

VOLKHARDT  [drops  his  rigidity  slightly  and 
tosses  his  cap  on  the  desk]. 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Now,  then!  —  and  for  this  I 
humbly  ask  your  pardon,  Sergeant  Major. 
I  earnestly  beg  your  forgiveness.  'Pon  my 
word,  Sergeant  Major,  I  would  give  any- 
thing in  the  world  if  it  could  be  undone. 

VOLKHARDT:  That  is  scarcely  possible, 
Lieutenant. 

VON  LAUFFEN  :  Unfortunately  —  yes !  And 
that  is  the  worst,  the  maddening  part  of 
it  all.  I  have  done  you  a  wrong,  and  I  can- 
not make  amends.  [Hesitating]  'Sergeant 
Major,  shall  I  give  you  and  Clara  [is  silent 
under  the  fierce  glances  of  the  old  man]  —  My 
God!  I  don't  know  what  to  do!  You  wanted 
to  speak  to  me.  Perhaps  you  know  a  way. 

VOLKHARDT  [hoarsely] :  At  your  service,  Lieu- 
tenant !  I  know  a  way  [as  he  pulls  a  revolver 
from  the  breast  pocket  of  his  coat]  —  here ! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [bursting  out] :  Sergeant  Major, 
are  you  —  !  What  does  this  mean? 


112  TAPS  ACT  iv 

VOLKHARDT:  Your  pardon,  Lieutenant,  but 
that  seems  clear  enough.  This  is  my 
service  revolver  —  loaded!  You  have  an- 
other—  in  there.  That's  regulation.  [Points 
to  desk.]  And  I  mean,  as  is  custom  in  such 
cases  — 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Sergeant  Major,  that  is  im- 
possible. 

VOLKHARDT  [with  gradually  rising  effect]:  I 
would  respectfully  remind  the  Lieutenant 
that  it  is  surely  much  more  impossible  that 
things  shall  remain  as  they  are.  That  I 
shall  be  left  with  the  girl  on  my  hands  — 
the  people  pointing  their  fingers  at  us  — 
and  that  my  honorable  name  is  soiled  and 
befouled  with  impunity !  That  is  —  by 
God  —  that  surely  is  impossible !  [Shout- 
ing] There  must  be  justice  in  the  world ! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Certainly  there  must  be,  Ser- 
geant Major  —  of  course!  But  you  must 
see  for  yourself,  that  there  may  be  cases 
where  even  with  the  best  intentions  — 
with  the  very  best  intentions,  Sergeant 
Major  - 

CLARA  [enters,  and  after  a  quick,  worried 
glance  around,  remains  standing  near  the 
door.  Both  men  look  at  her  in  astonishment]. 

VOLKHARDT  [speaksjirst  —  roughly] :  You  —  ? 
What  are  you  doing  here? 

CLARA  [simply] :  I  followed  you,  father. 


ACT  iv  TAPS  113 

VOLKHARDT  :  What  —  ?  What  do  you  want 
here?  Yes,  you!  Get  out! 

CLARA:  Since  all  this  is  on  my  account  [de- 
termined] —  I  demand  to  be  present. 

VOLKHARDT:  Yes!  You're  right!  Look  at 
her,  Lieutenant!  Look  at  her  standing 
there.  Doesn't  she  look  like  a  good  and 
pure  girl?  Doesn't  she  look  like  innocence 
herself?  As  if  she  were  still  my  own  dear 
child,  whom  I  trusted  blindly,  since  I  put 
my  boy  under  the  sod  out  there!  And 
now  —  I  would  rather  she  were  lying  in 
the  grave  beside  the  boy,  instead  of  her 
shame  and  disgrace  breaking  her  father's 
heart. 

CLARA  [imploring  but  decided] :  Father ! 

VOLKHARDT  [turns  from  her  without  answer, 
toward  Lauffen]:  And  now,  when  I  seek 
the  man  who  is  the  cause  of  it  all  and  ask 
him  for  satisfaction  —  [points  to  revolver]. 

CLARA  [frightened  —  takes  a  step  forward]. 

VON  LAUFFEN  [avoiding  —  yet  in  commanding 
tone]:  Sergeant  Major,  as  you  see,  I've 
allowed  you  to  speak  your  mind  without 
interruption  because  I  realize  my  guilt, 
and  admit  that  you  have  a  right  —  that 
you  are  justified  in  your  anger.  But  you 
ask  an  impossibility.  I  cannot  fight  a  non- 
commissioned officer.  I  dare  not! 

VOLKHARDT  [stepping  back]:    A  non-commis- 


114  TAPS  ACT  iv 

sioned  officer?  Why,  of  course!  That's 
what  I  am  [with  a  bitter  laugh] !  Your  par- 
don, Lieutenant.  I  had  almost  forgotten  it ! 
When  a  fellow  has  been  regarded  and  es- 
teemed in  his  regiment  for  years,  as  a  sort 
of  a  memento  —  Old  Volkhardt,  the  vet- 
eran of  the  last  war,  who  took  part  in  the 
great  attack  at  Vionville,  for  which  he 
received  the  iron  cross  from  the  Emperor's 
hands  himself  —  then  he  is  liable  to  grow 
presumptuous  and  forgetful  of  his  real 
station  in  life.  Your  pardon,  Lieutenant; 
I'm  on  earth  again  —  and  I  realize  I  am 
not  of  equal  rank  —  and  [pointing  to  Clara] 
—  at  that  rate  I  suppose  she  may  even 
consider  herself  honored  —  highly  hon- 
ored —  for  she  too  belongs  to  the  people 
of  the  second  class! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [sharply] :  Sergeant  Major,  I 
command  you  to  be  silent.  Your  language 
is  well-nigh  treasonable.  I  warn  you,  you 
are  endangering  your  head  as  well  as  your 
stripes. 

VOLKHARDT  [wildly]  i  Well,  what  of  it,  Lieu- 
tenant von  Lauffen?  What  more  can  I 
lose  than  I  have  already?  Am  I  not  de- 
graded enough?  Degraded  and  full  of  con- 
tempt for  myself?  [Laughs  madly.]  Old 
fool  that  I've  been.  I  imagined  myself  to 
be  somebody !  I  have  done  my  duty  faith- 


ACT  iv  TAPS  115 

fully  for  thirty-three  long  years,  as  if,  by 
God,  as  if  my  life  depended  on  it.  And 
when  at  times  the  doubt  did  tempt  me,  be- 
cause I  couldn't  rise  above  a  certain  grade, 
I  would  say  to  myself:  There,  there,  old 
man,  be  content!  Even  your  inferior 
station  has  its  honor.  Its  honor!  Bah! 
It  was  a  lie  and  deception,  and  I  myself 
am  the  most  deceived  of  all !  [Stops  in  his 
excitement.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [sharply  —  after  trying  several 
times  to  interrupt  him]:  Sergeant  Major! 
Will  you  now  come  to  your  senses? 

CLARA  [has  thrown  herself  into  a  chair,  her 
face  hidden  in  her  hands,  looking  up  from 
time  to  time  in  utter  helplessness]. 

VOLKHARDT  [has  not  heard  von  Lauffen  — 
partly  to  himself]:  And  this  [taking  hold 
of  the  iron  cross]  —  When  I  fastened 
it  here  this  morning,  I  said  to  myself: 
You  are  the  only  man  in  the  regiment 
possessing  this.  Not  even  the  Colonel 
—  And  now!  [Tears  it  off  with  trembling 
hand.]  Away  with  the  bauble !  It's  noth- 
ing more  than  an  ounce  or  two  of  old  iron, 
and  may  just  as  well  rust  in  the  dirt. 
[Would  throw  it  down,  but  hesitates.]  And 
yet  I  held  it  higher  than  anything  else  in 
the  world.  I  wanted  it  pinned  on  my 
breast  when  once  my  last  Taps  had 


116  TAPS  ACT  iv 

sounded,  and  I'm  lowered  into  the  ground, 
six  feet  under  the  sod.  But  now,  I  don't 
want  to  wear  it  any  longer.  I  dare  not 
wear  it  any  longer.  Not  a  man  like  me! 
[Shoves  it  on  the  desk  in  his  rage]  —  Not  a 
fellow  like  me ! 

VON  LAUFFEN:  Sergeant  Major!  I  must 
earnestly  request  you  to  control  yourself 
now.  All  this  you  are  saying  is  nonsense 
—  sheer  nonsense. 

VOLKHARDT  [slowly,  as  he  is  apparently  awak- 
ened to  von  Lauffen' s  presence] :  A  while  ago, 
over  there,  while  waiting  in  the  dark,  I  was 
tempted  for  a  moment  to  end  it  all. 
[Wildly]  But  no!  Said  I:  The  other 
one  must  go  too!  And  if  he  will  not  give 
me  my  right  —  [bursting  out]  —  then  I'll 
take  it!  [Suddenly  raises  his  revolver  at 
von  Lauffen.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [looks  into  his  eyes  without 
flinching  and  doesn't  move  a  muscle]. 

CLARA:  Father!  [Throws  herself  in  front  of 
him  in  order  to  shield  Lauffen.] 

VOLKHARDT  [seizes  her  with  his  left  hand  and 
pulls  her  to  her  knees  with  a  mighty  grip, 
still  keeping  revolver  leveled  at  von  Lauffen. 
He  still  aims.  Suddenly  his  arm  begins  to 
tremble.  Slowly  and  reluctantly  he  lowers 
the  pistol.  Gnashing  —  half  to  himself] :  I 
can't  do  it  —  I  can't  —  he's  my  superior 


ACT  iv  TAPS  117 

officer.  I  can't  do  it.  I'm  too  cowardly! 
[Sobs  in  his  rage.]  I've  obeyed  —  obeyed 
for  thirty-three  years  and  that  has  sapped 
the  marrow  from  my  bones.  Now  I  can't 
even  avenge  myself.  I'm  a  coward  —  a 
coward !  [Slowly  collects  himself  —  bit- 
terly] Once  the  father  saved  my  life.  Now 
the  son  has  taken  it  from  me  again. 
[Straightens  up,  much  quieter.]  Our  accounts 
are  squared! 

CLARA  [has  half  risen,  as  her  father  released 
her]. 

VOLKHARDT  [looks  at  her  for  quite  some  time, 
slowly  stoops  over  her,  as  if  he  would  kiss  her 
on  the  brow.  Tears  rolling  down  his  cheeks] : 
My  poor,  poor  child.  We  two  —  [with  a  sud- 
den jerk  he  straightens  up.  Hard  and 
roughly]:  Come!  Get  up!  Let's  get  out  of 
here.  We'll  crawl  away  somewhere  —  any- 
where —  into  a  rat  hole,  so  people  can't 
see  us  to  point  their  fingers  at  us  and 
whisper:  Do  you  see  her  over  there?  The 
young  one?  And  the  old  fellow?  Don't 
look  at  me  like  that!  Not  so  quietly  —  not 
so  calmly.  I  tell  you,  don't  stand  there  as 
you  did  this  morning,  when  you  exposed 
your  disgrace  to  the  whole  world,  without 
a  single  trace  of  shame. 

CLARA  [lowers  her  head  slightly]. 

VOLKHARDT   [points  to   the  door]:  And   now 


118  TAPS  ACT  iv 

let's  make  an  end  of  it !   [As  she  hesitates  — 
threateningly]     Go ! 

CLARA  [hesitating  at  first,  then  clearly  and 
resolutely]:  No,  father.  I  shall  remain  — 
with  him!  [Pointing  to  Lauffen]  Now, 
more  than  ever.  You  are  doing  him  an 
injustice.  Had  I  remained  strong,  we 
would  all  be  standing  here  with  upraised 
heads.  He,  you  and  I.  I  bear  all  the  blame 
—  I  alone.  [Softly  and  gently,  like  a  con- 
fession] Because  I  loved  him  —  I  could 
not  help  myself  —  I  threw  myself  in  his 


way 


VOLKHARDT  [tottering  —  puts  his  hand  to  his 
brow] :  Wha  —  what  are  you  saying?  You 
—  you  threw  yourself  —  ?  That's  the  sort 
of  a  creature  you  are?  You  threw  yourself 
at  him  —  and  when  he's  grown  tired  of  you 
you'll  throw  yourself  at  another  one!  So 
that's  what  you  are?  [With  a  gurgling  cry] 
Then  go  to  hell!  [With  lightning  rapidity 
raises  the  revolver  and  fires.] 

VON  LAUFFEN  [cries  out]:  Sergeant  Major! 
[Rushes  to  him  and  tries  to  intercept  him, 
but  is  too  late.] 

CLARA    [putting   her   hands   to   her   bosom  — 
sinks  down  with  breaking  voice]:    Father,  I 
thank  you!    [Falls  heavily  to  the  floor.] 

VOLKHARDT  [watches  her  fall,  horrified.  The 
pistol  drops  from  his  hand,  and  he  seems 


ACT  iv  TAPS  119 

slowly  to  comprehend  what  he  has  done.  As 
Lauffen  would  approach  Clara,  he  motions 
him  back  with  a  gesture] :  Now  she  is  mine 
again !  [He  kneels  and  gently  takes  her  head 
in  his  lap.] 

CLARA  [opens  her  eyes,  leaves  one  hand  to  her 
father,  while  searching  with  the  other  for  von 
Lauffen's.  Softly]:  Dearest! 

VON  LAUFFEN  [sobbing,  kneels  down  beside 
her]. 

CLARA  [raises  her  head  a  trifle  and  smiles 
weakly,  then  she  falls  back  and  dies]. 

VOLKHARDT  [slowly  and  carefully  lowers  her 
to  the  floor,  looks  at  her  once  more,  rises 
languidly.  Then  speaks  reproachfully,  but 
calmly]:  Now  the  Lieutenant  can  call  the 
Corporal  of  the  Guard  again. 
[CURTAIN] 


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